Remember the days when everyone got chicken pox? The worst thing that you used to expect (if you were a kid) was to have some scars after your bout with the infection was over. Now, many adults, and those who are immune compromised, can suffer complications or even death as a result of the disease. As a result, the CDC has made recommendations that those who are not immune and at high risk for serious disease.(Keep in mind that many are concerned as well over the safety of the vaccination).
This article will review VZig (Varicella immune globulin), who should get it? And, if it is safe to use for those who wish to refrain from blood.
What is VZig?
The varicella-zoster virus causes chicken pox (varicella) and shingles (herpes zoster). VZig is used primarily by patients at high risk for severe disease who have been recently exposed to the Varicess-zoster virus.
Please note the following detailed excerpt from the CDC.gov website regarding indications for use of the immune globulin.
What are the indications for VAig use?
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) indicate that the decision to administer VZIG to a person exposed to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) should be based on whether a) the patient lacks evidence of immunity (either by having no evidence of prior infection or by lacking documentation of vaccination), b) the exposure is likely to result in infection, and c) the patient is at increased risk for severe disease and complications compared to the general population.
Both healthy and immunocompromised children and adults who have verified positive histories of varicella (except for bone-marrow transplant recipients) can be considered immune (see evidence of immunity). Persons who have received bone-marrow transplants should be considered non-immune, regardless of prior history of varicella or varicella vaccination in themselves or in their donors. However, bone-marrow recipients who develop varicella or herpes zoster following transplantation should subsequently be considered immune.
VZIG is not indicated for persons who received 2 dose of varicella vaccine and became immunocompromised due to disease or treatment later in life. These persons should be closely monitored, and, if disease develops, treatment with acyclovir should be instituted at the earliest signs or symptoms.
Several types of exposure can place susceptible persons at risk for varicella. Direct contact exposure is defined as more than 1 hour of direct contact with an infectious person while indoors; substantial exposure for hospital contacts consists of sharing the same hospital room with an infectious patient or having prolonged, direct, face-to-face contact with an infectious person (e.g., healthcare workers). Brief contacts with an infectious person (e.g., contact with x-ray technicians or housekeeping personnel) are less likely to result in VZV transmission than are more prolonged contacts.
Persons at greater risk for severe varicella who have contraindications for vaccination and for whom VZIG is recommended include:
Immunoglobulin - a blood fraction?
Those wishing to refrain from blood want to know if immunoglobulins are blood fractions, please note the definition of immunoglobulins:
Immunoglobulin (Ig) is a sterilized solution obtained from pooled human blood plasma, which contains the immunoglobulins (or antibodies) to protect against the infectious agents that cause various diseases. Antibodies are substances in the blood plasma that fight infections. Our bodies create antibodies (or immunity) against disease-causing agents when infections occur. These antibodies can protect us from becoming ill if we are exposed to the same infectious agents sometime in the future. When someone is given IG, that person is using other people's antibodies to help fight off or prevent an illness from occurring. This protection is temporary and should not be confused with getting an immunization, which provides longer-term protection. Special IG formulations are produced from donors with high levels of antibodies against hepatitis B (Hepatitis B Immune Globulin-HBIG), rabies (Rabies Immune Globulin-RIG), tetanus (Tetanus Immune Globulin-TIG) and varicella (chickenpox)(Varicella Zoster Immune Globulin-VZIG). Immunoglobulins are sometimes called gamma globulins or immune serum globulins.
"What sre immunoglobulins?" http://www.noblood.org/
So, therefore, immunglobulins are considered blood fractions. In the case of Jehovah's Witnesses it would be an individual conscious matter if these medications are taken.
Sources:
"VZig" http://www.cdc.org/
"What sre immunoglobulins?" http://www.noblood.org/
This article will review VZig (Varicella immune globulin), who should get it? And, if it is safe to use for those who wish to refrain from blood.
The varicella-zoster virus causes chicken pox (varicella) and shingles (herpes zoster). VZig is used primarily by patients at high risk for severe disease who have been recently exposed to the Varicess-zoster virus.
Please note the following detailed excerpt from the CDC.gov website regarding indications for use of the immune globulin.
What are the indications for VAig use?
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) indicate that the decision to administer VZIG to a person exposed to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) should be based on whether a) the patient lacks evidence of immunity (either by having no evidence of prior infection or by lacking documentation of vaccination), b) the exposure is likely to result in infection, and c) the patient is at increased risk for severe disease and complications compared to the general population.
Both healthy and immunocompromised children and adults who have verified positive histories of varicella (except for bone-marrow transplant recipients) can be considered immune (see evidence of immunity). Persons who have received bone-marrow transplants should be considered non-immune, regardless of prior history of varicella or varicella vaccination in themselves or in their donors. However, bone-marrow recipients who develop varicella or herpes zoster following transplantation should subsequently be considered immune.
VZIG is not indicated for persons who received 2 dose of varicella vaccine and became immunocompromised due to disease or treatment later in life. These persons should be closely monitored, and, if disease develops, treatment with acyclovir should be instituted at the earliest signs or symptoms.
Several types of exposure can place susceptible persons at risk for varicella. Direct contact exposure is defined as more than 1 hour of direct contact with an infectious person while indoors; substantial exposure for hospital contacts consists of sharing the same hospital room with an infectious patient or having prolonged, direct, face-to-face contact with an infectious person (e.g., healthcare workers). Brief contacts with an infectious person (e.g., contact with x-ray technicians or housekeeping personnel) are less likely to result in VZV transmission than are more prolonged contacts.
Persons at greater risk for severe varicella who have contraindications for vaccination and for whom VZIG is recommended include:
- Immunocompromised persons, including persons who have primary and acquired immunodeficiency disorders, neoplastic diseases, and are receiving immunosuppressive treatment. Patients receiving monthly high-dose immune globulin intravenous (IGIV) (400 mg/kg or greater) are likely to be protected and probably do not require VZIG, if the last dose of IGIV was given less than 3 weeks before exposure (Red Book, American Academy of Pediatrics)
- Neonates whose mothers have signs and symptoms of varicella from 5 days before to 2 days after delivery
- Premature neonates exposed to varicella postnatally
- Those born at or after 28 weeks of gestation whose mothers do not have evidence of immunity should receive VZIG because the infant’s immune system may not be fully functional.
- Those who are less than 28 weeks gestation or who weigh 1,000g or less at birth should receive VZIG regardless of maternal history because such infants may have not acquired maternal antibodies.
- Pregnant women without evidence of immunity
Immunoglobulin - a blood fraction?
Those wishing to refrain from blood want to know if immunoglobulins are blood fractions, please note the definition of immunoglobulins:
Immunoglobulin (Ig) is a sterilized solution obtained from pooled human blood plasma, which contains the immunoglobulins (or antibodies) to protect against the infectious agents that cause various diseases. Antibodies are substances in the blood plasma that fight infections. Our bodies create antibodies (or immunity) against disease-causing agents when infections occur. These antibodies can protect us from becoming ill if we are exposed to the same infectious agents sometime in the future. When someone is given IG, that person is using other people's antibodies to help fight off or prevent an illness from occurring. This protection is temporary and should not be confused with getting an immunization, which provides longer-term protection. Special IG formulations are produced from donors with high levels of antibodies against hepatitis B (Hepatitis B Immune Globulin-HBIG), rabies (Rabies Immune Globulin-RIG), tetanus (Tetanus Immune Globulin-TIG) and varicella (chickenpox)(Varicella Zoster Immune Globulin-VZIG). Immunoglobulins are sometimes called gamma globulins or immune serum globulins.
"What sre immunoglobulins?" http://www.noblood.org/
So, therefore, immunglobulins are considered blood fractions. In the case of Jehovah's Witnesses it would be an individual conscious matter if these medications are taken.
Sources:
"VZig" http://www.cdc.org/
"What sre immunoglobulins?" http://www.noblood.org/
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