Eczema and Smallpox:A Scary Combination

[Morris Cartwright]

Bio terrorism has made vaccination of various diseases, including
smallpox, a plausible solution to threats. In June of 2003, key
military personnel, key emergency personnel (fire fighters, law
enforcement, etc) and first line health care workers began receiving
the vaccine.
In 2004, all American people who wanted it were able to get the small
pox vaccination. Because the vaccine was discontinued in 1972,
researchers have only historical records to study concerning the
number of people who may be affected, but it is known that people who
suffer from Atopic Dermatitis (AD) are at risk with this vaccination.
The reason that the impact is hard to determine is because people were
not always accurately diagnosed before the smallpox vaccine was
discontinued. There are no accurate records concerning the number of
American people who suffered from AD and therefore, how they reacted
to vaccinations. Because of this, it is important for all people who
have AD (most people call this eczema, even though there are several
forms of eczema) to be wary of the smallpox vaccination. Approximately
17 million American people have this disease.
Eczema patients have an immune deficiency within the skin which lets
certain viruses into the body. Among a variety of viruses, the virus
that causes smallpox is certain threat to people with this skin
disease. Vaccinia is the virus which is used to immunize against
smallpox and can create an infection called eczema vaccinatum in
eczema patients.
The infection can spread very quickly both internally and externally
and can become lethal when not treated. Patients with the form of
eczema known as Atopic Dermatitis may have a lifetime risk associated
with the smallpox virus, but other form of eczema seem to be safer
when not having a flare up. AD patients seem to be susceptible whether
they are even when their skin condition is in recession.
Eczema patients should not only opt against the vaccine, but they
should stay away from close friends and family who have had it for a
period of 24 to 48 hours. Immediate family members of eczema patients
should not receive the vaccine.
With others who have had the vaccination, contact transmission is the
main risk. The live virus used in vaccinating people is on the surface
of the area where they received the vaccination and can be transmitted
to others who touch the area. Airborne transmission is only a worry in
cases of outbreak, not with vaccination.
If you have eczema and come in contact with the vaccine is it
important to see your physician immediately, especially if you are in
the midst of a flare up because the virus can easily enter the broken
skin. While most people who get the smallpox rash recover easily with
treatment, but eczema sufferers often end up with scarring or, in some
cases, death.
You have been exposed if you touch an injection site before it has
completely healed, if you come into contact with any other thing on
which the virus remains live. Bandages, clothing, towels, and/or
washcloths are all items that may have come in contact with the live
virus and could still be carrying it.
Vaccinia Immune Globulin (VIG) is used in treatment if you are exposed
to the virus. With prompt treatment, you should have little trouble,
but patients who have been exposed become seriously ill, manifesting
systemic symptoms and possibly death if treatment for the disease is
still denied.
According to the Chief of the Division of Dermatology of King/Drew
Medical Center, Los Angeles, and a member of the NEASE Scientific
Advisory Committee, "People with eczema or atopic dermatitis tend to
have a mild immune defect in their skin that can allow certain viruses
such as Vaccinia (the live virus used in the smallpox vaccine) to
spread both over the skin and internally, sometimes causing a lethal
infection." Vaccinated people are urged to keep the affected area
covered with specialized bandages to reduce and possibly eliminate the
risk of transmission.
The CDC has developed a questionnaire to determine people at risk from
this vaccination as well as those who would impose danger on immediate
family members. Since the world is currently free of smallpox cases,
so precautions need only be taken in concern with vaccinated people.