SmallPox
...cination site for about fourteen to twenty-eight days, until the scab falls off. Therefore, the virus can be transmitted to other people if the proper precautions aren’t taken seriously.”3 The vaccination site should be bandaged or covered with a shirt to prevent scratching. Also, the used bandages should be discarded in a plastic bag that is sealed or double-bagged. In addition, bleach can be added to the bag to kill the virus.3 After bathing, the site should be dried with a disposable item to prevent the virus from spreading. More importantly, public facilities such as a pool or hot tub should be avoided for the safety of other people. The vaccination site should be cared for as directed because the virus can be transferred to eyes, genitals, or other places on the body.4 People who are classified with medical risks should not get the smallpox vaccine. United States citizens who are HIV positive or have AIDS should not get the vaccine because they are at a high risk of developing a severe rash or an infection from the vaccine. Also, people with weakened immune systems from cancer treatments and organ transplants should not receive the vaccine because the immune system may not be strong enough to contain the live virus in the vaccine.3 In addition, people with skin problems such as eczema are at an increased risk of developing a bad rash from the vaccine. The vaccine should not be received until conditions such as acne or psoriasis are under control. Moreover, women who are pregnant or have the possibility of being pregnant should not be given the vaccine. Women who receive the vaccine while pregnant are at a great risk of having a miscarriage or stillbirth. As a precaution, women should not get pregnant for at least one month after receiving the vaccine. On a higher note, women should not breastfeed because there is a chance the virus could be transferred to the baby. People with heart conditions such as angina, heart attack, stroke, or congestive heart failure should not be given the vaccine. People with any of these medical conditions are at a great risk and should not under any circumstance receive the vaccine.2 Like most vaccinations, smallpox has side effects that patients should know about before receiving the vaccination. The smallpox side effect is different from any other vaccine. After a successful vaccination, a red blister appears and eventually turns into a scab. Other side effects that one may experience after the vaccination includes swollen lymph nodes, a sore arm, fever, or headache. These side effects may occur between three to twelve days after receiving the vaccine. However, the smallpox vaccination can also have very serious side effects. For example, one thousand out of every million vaccinated people experienced side effects that are serious, but not life threatening. Most of the serious side effects reported were the spread of the virus to other parts of the body. In the past, between fourteen and fifty-two people out of a million vaccinated for the first time experienced potentially life-threatening reactions. The serious side effects reported were serious skin reactions and encephalitis, inflammation of the brain. In addition, one or two people out of a million who receive the smallpox vaccine may die.3 Serious side effects occur more likely when the first time a person gets vaccinated. The side effects of the smallpox vaccine range from simple to deadly. Anyone getting the smallpox vaccine should be well aware of the possible side effects. Endemic smallpox can be brought about with one act of terrorism. The United States must take the appropriate actions to keep the people safe. If smallpox were brought into the country, the health of the citizens would be at great risk. In order to ensure the safety of the citizens of the United States, President George Bush has made sure there are enough vaccines for everyone.5 As a future pharmacist, it is important to understand the side effects, medical risks, and how to care for vaccines. The duty of a pharmacist is to be able to counsel patients by answering their questions. It is not only important to understand about the smallpox vaccines, but also other diseases and vaccines. President Bush’s actions serve in the best interest of this country. The situations of terrorism should be dealt with carefully and completely because the lives of millions are at stake. Smallpox has affected several countries around the world. So, many cultures have experienced the effects of an outbreak of smallpox. "Smallpox may have originated from a random mutation of some other, less venomous, and even older, strain of unknown virus, maybe around 10,000 B.C., perhaps somewhere in the fertile Ganges River plain in India." In earlier times, smallpox was considered to be like syphilis because of the slight differences in the skin rashes. However, smallpox became known as "the great pox." On the other hand, other cultures names for the deadly virus. For example, in West Africa, s...