February 2003
Why the Smallpox vaccination is such a
“BIG” deal
To begin with, anyone living with HIV/AIDS who has had any
of the following conditions or who will be in contact with someone who has had
any of these conditions should not get a Smallpox vaccination, unless they
think they have been exposed to the smallpox virus and consulted with a doctor:
- Have a weakened immune system (HIV, cancer treatment,
organ transplant, and any illness that can weaken the immune system or are on
any medication that suppresses the immune system).
- Eczema or atopic dermatitis (even if the condition is
not currently active or even if they had the condition when they were a
child).
- Skin conditions like herpes, shingles, and burn or
severe acne (until the problem is completely healed).
- Pregnant or breast-feeding or plan to be within one
month of vaccination.
- Have an allergy to the vaccine or any of its
ingredients.
- If under one year old, or under 18 years old if not an
emergency.
- Have a moderate to severe short-term illness, like the
flu etc. (These people should wait until they are completely recovered before
they get the vaccine).
“Individuals who think they have been directly
exposed to the Smallpox virus should get the vaccine in consultation with their
doctor regardless of their health condition.” (Make sure you communicate
all of your conditions to your doctor.)
OK, so we who shouldn’t get the vaccine won’t.
So what’s the “Big Deal”, you ask? The big deal lies in the fact
that if we (anyone with a suppressed immune system) come into direct contact
with someone who has been vaccinated we could get smallpox from the
“vaccination virus” from that person. It can be spread very easily,
just by contact with your skin. (A vaccinated person touches the place they
were vaccinated then touches you.
Any of their clothing or bedding that has come into
contact with the vaccinated area that you touch can transmit the virus. Even
left over skin cells on a bandage can cause infection to others.)
The “BIG DEAL” is the risk of progressive
vaccinia (or vaccinia necrosum). This is a reaction to the vaccine’s
virus, which consists of progressive enlargement of the lesion or blister
caused by the shot or at the place where the virus can come in contact with us.
The pus blisters spread continuously and the condition is usually fatal. That
is why it is so important for anyone considering getting the vaccine to be sure
they aren’t HIV positive. Also for the same reason it is highly
recommended that everyone with a suppressed immune system stay far way from
anyone who has been vaccinated for at least 14 days after that person has been
vaccinated. This includes medical personnel, friends and strangers; this may
prove to be the single most isolating factor to ever affect HIV positive
people. If people in the general population of this country start getting
vaccinated for Smallpox they become dangerous to everyone with a suppressed
immune system.
Take care my friends, Erica.
BABES PERSPECTIVE UPDATE: In
our treatment update on smallpox there is a slight error regarding vaccination
and possible transmission of small pox. If someone with a suppressed immune
system comes into contact with an individual who has been recently vaccinated
AGAINST SMALLPOX,you could possibly contract "vaccinia" which your body will
recognize as the small pox virus.You will not specifically contract small pox
from the vaccination but a similar, THOUGH MILDER, condition which could be
very harmful to a compromised immune system.
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