small pox vaccine may protect against hiv

[MommyDOK]

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/...ntid=100258646

not sure what to think of this. Esp since small pox is a higher risk vax.

[Sileree]

"1987: Smallpox vaccine caused AIDS, 2010: Lack of smallpox vaccine increased AIDS"

http://anthraxvaccine.blogspot.com/2...aids-2010.html

What awesome spin, if that's what it is.

[2boyzmama]

Is this something along the lines of a serotype replacement issue? Obviously it's not the same as Prevnar, where it's different strains of the same virus. But is it the elimination of one disease leads to the increase of another, because nature filled the void?

Small Pox started disappearing...leading to the vaccine being stopped...HIV cases started emerging...leading to the incorrect assumption that the vaccine was somehow protecting against AIDS when in fact it is the absence of Small Pox causing the biological void.

??

[GoBecGo]

Originally Posted by 2boyzmama

Is this something along the lines of a serotype replacement issue? Obviously it's not the same as Prevnar, where it's different strains of the same virus. But is it the elimination of one disease leads to the increase of another, because nature filled the void?

Small Pox started disappearing...leading to the vaccine being stopped...HIV cases started emerging...leading to the incorrect assumption that the vaccine was somehow protecting against AIDS when in fact it is the absence of Small Pox causing the biological void.

??

No i think they found that the HIV multiplies 6x faster in people who haven't had the smallpox vaccine. I guess i think it might be a small chink in the armour of HIV, IF it is used as such, and not just a reason to knee-jerk vaccinate everyone against smallpox...

[Deborah]

I think they probably need to do more research. Lots more research. This is not conclusive of anything...except that people who like vaccines are always looking for ways to credit vaccines for accomplishing wonders.

[nia82]

Even if it were so, I wouldn't get a smallpox shot, like ever. No thanks. I'd rather go for avoiding HIV the old fashioned way (aka use protection when sleeping around, if you must).

[GoBecGo]

Originally Posted by nia82

Even if it were so, I wouldn't get a smallpox shot, like ever. No thanks. I'd rather go for avoiding HIV the old fashioned way (aka use protection when sleeping around, if you must).

That's kind of harsh, i personally know someone who got HIV from her HUSBAND and he got it from an unclean needle he received adrenalin through in a hospital in Ethiopia he was working in when he was in anaphylactic shock after a killer bee sting. Without the shot he would have died, and now her and he and potentially their new baby all have the virus. She found out at routine prenatal screening. They have 3 older kids. Obviously it's not the most common transmission route, but it's a massive myth that you can avoid HIV 100% by not sleeping around or using protection when you do. Though i am absolutely NOT in support of smallpox vaccination for this reason alone, i do actually support any research which can help prevent or treat HIV.

[nia82]

@ Gobeco: I just mean this decision for myself and my family, I don't mean that others have to do it. So it's not harsh, it is my personal decision for my family.
It's always a gamble to have sex with anyone, whether married, in a relationship or not. It still doesn't compel me to get a really dangerous vaccine.

[GoBecGo]

Originally Posted by nia82

@ Gobeco: I just mean this decision for myself and my family, I don't mean that others have to do it. So it's not harsh, it is my personal decision for my family.
It's always a gamble to have sex with anyone, whether married, in a relationship or not. It still doesn't compel me to get a really dangerous vaccine.

No and i totally agree, i wouldn't take the smallpox vaccine for something like that either. I guess since i actually worked with people with HIV and AIDS (through community education when i was a teenager - my mum was an HIV/AIDS worker who went out into the community to educate and support) i have heard so many stories that i'm a bit sensitive about it! Sorry, i hope you didn't find me too abrasive. I was shocked at the very very few people who actually DID contract HIV through careless casual sex and willing careless drug abuse, versus those who contracted it in other ways - a teen whose boyfriend-turning-pimp injected her at 13 with heroin to make her compliant for his friends, the family i mentioned above, 2 people who got it through (emergency) medical treatment in other countries, one man who got it from performing CPR on a (badly beaten) woman who turned out to be a prostitute - she died anyway and he contracted HIV and Hep B from her. Such incredibly sad stories, HIV is a horrible horrible thing and though it is for the most part very avoidable, i personally would be happier to see it gone or more treatable.