Risks of Hep. B. Pros/Cons of vaccinating an adult with risk of being bitten? - Page 2

[mamakay]

Originally Posted by wallacesmum

MK - wasn't the institutionalization issue due to some seriously unethical, intentional exposure? Just asking, in case it sounds like it is the fact of institutionalization, rather than that particularly heinous treatment of children, that is the issue.

I know what you're talking about, but that's not it. The horrible unethical stuff was from the 60's.
In the 80's, HepB was just spreading like wildfire in the institutions, apparently. I imagine the living conditions were horrible, though...a bit like a zoo, and I suspect HepD was also endemic in those situations (HepD exacerbates HepB).

[mamakay]

Here's some info on the massive human rights violations that went into the HepB vax, by the way...
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=626042

I don't think (although I guess you never know) that had anything to do with endemic HepB infections in the institutions in the 80's, though.

[jocelyndale]

Back when I first fell ill a decade ago, there was ongoing class action litigation regarding HepB and adverse reactions, primarily among healthcare workers. My memory is fuzzy, but I recall fibromyalgia, severe photosensitivity, and CFIDS being implicated as adverse reactions to the vaccine (in those cases).

I consider my ongoing health problems to be the result of vaccine injury and I feel that it was a hep vax that did the most damage, though the pot I have to choose from is pretty big.

[Science Mom]

Originally Posted by mamakay

SM...that's from 1984!

I posted the 2001 recommendation a few posts ago.

I don't think it answers the question of how well the vax alone without HBIG works as a postexposure prophylaxis, either, though.

I'm thinking the vax alone won't do much in this situation. She'd need the IG.

Oh crap, I wasn't even paying attention. The 2001 recommendation is the most recent. I don't think there is any data to determine vaccine-alone post-exposure prophylaxis versus HBIG.

SM

[ericswifey27]

Yikes Sophiekat and Jocelyndale, your symptoms back up what was said earlier about MS and hep b vax.

I went to go see the worker's comp doctor today. He agreed with other mamas here that there is an extremely low risk of transmission of Hep B through a bite. He said the only case he has ever heard of was when the person with Hep B had ongoing bleeding of the gums, like severe gingivitis. So I felt it was the right decision to decline the HBIG today.

I will have to go back and get titer and bloodwork results next week and the doctor told me he would be discussing starting the Hep B vax series at this time. I will most likely be declining after the reading, talking to the doctor and the discussions, I feel more informed about that decision.

Originally Posted by Science Mom

EW, They have to inform you if the child has any health concerns that may affect you; perhaps it is time to speak to the principal or even the school board. I don't mean to sound alarmist because chances are you are fine but I am sure you would like to verify that and rightfully so.

SM

You know, I don't want to be the "bad" employee, but really is it too much to ask whether I have been exposed to these sorts of illnesses: While I feel better about the very low risk, my anger is really building over the school nurse's cavalier attitude about my health.: I'm not sure if I want to go down that road. I am confident test results will be fine. God forbid they are not... then I would be raising h$%.

Originally Posted by Science Mom

Oh crap, I wasn't even paying attention. The 2001 recommendation is the most recent. I don't think there is any data to determine vaccine-alone post-exposure prophylaxis versus HBIG.

SM

The doctor I saw today said the HBIG is best when given immediately after, within 24 hoursand that the vaccine would not protect for *this* event, but for any future biting episodes.

Honestly given my hesitance to vaccinate at this point, my son's reactions, the reactions other mamas here experienced, along with the extremely low possibility of transmission, I think I'd be better off making arrangements with my boss to not work with known biters instead of submitting to the Hep B series. I am sure my boss would be willing to make that accomodation for me. And I will most definitely be more alert to mouths coming anywhere near my body.