Sam is having his 12 month immunisations tomorrow.
The problem is that I have a compromised immune system. With Sam's 2 and 4 month immunisations I had to wear gloves to change dirty nappies for two weeks due to the live virus in the rotavirus vaccine. Despite taking all precautions, I still got it.
I know one of the vaccines in the 12 month set is a live virus, so I know I'm going to have to glove up again. I just can't find any information that will tell me for how long I'll need to do it.
I can't just assume it's two weeks like the others. When we had those done we were told that if they were still using the oral polio vaccine it would have been six weeks of virus-shedding and glove-wearing for me.
Dealing with the one I did know about - the incubation period of rotavirus is only around two days. But it takes up to two weeks for the body to eliminate the virus through the bowel... I just can't think of the right terms to punch into google at the moment.
I am not sure then BW... I can only find information that the child's body fluids are contagious for 7 days post vaccination. So I am not sure what info you have.
Any info I have suggests it's for the incubation period of the disease. So maybe someone else will have more info than that. Sorry I wasn't able to help.
Well... the GP and the clinic nurse couldn't find any information on whether the MMR vaccines are shed through the bowel or not. Just vague references that people on immune suppressing drugs should take "extra precautions", but no mention of what those extra precautions should be.
What we've decided is that for the next couple of weeks, if I have open cuts on my hands I should wear gloves for nappy changes (bugger - nicked my finger with the vegie pealer the other night, so that's now). If his bowel habits change I should glove up for nappy changes... other than that it's just being really, really careful and lots of hand washing, etc.
There's also the thinking that as I had measles and mumps as a child, I should still have retained at least some immunity from that. My rubella immunity is only from vaccination and it was all checked when when I was going through IVF and pregnant with Sam. Nobody said anything about not being immune then, so I would assume there's at least a bit of immunity hanging around. Just nobody can tell me what impact the methotrexate and prednisone I have been taking may have had on my immunity, so it's back to being extra careful as planned.
Would be nice to be able to find out one way or the other, but the information just doesn't seem to exist!
Far out BW! It is so annoying that important information like that is not easily available. I feel your warranted frustrations. I wish I had some advice or answers but I don’t even know where to direct you?
I would contact victoria Health BW. I contacted Qld Health - just out of education for myself. I was told precautions for the length of the incubation period and add a few days for caution. Also, you need to be taking not just precautions with his nappies - but also with his saliva. All bodily fluids are potentially contagious.
I am so sorry to hear of this complication how frustrating!
I'd have a chat with the Health Dept in your area and see what they say - other than that, what about the vaccine maker? You should have access to the information inlet in the packet the vaccination comes in
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A question about the 12 month immunisations
I feel your warranted frustrations.
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