herpes vaccine

[PBEA]

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Do you typically recommend it for all children?
How effective is the herpes vaccine?
Effective for zoster and varicella?
Just because you have antibodies for herpes, that does not mean you will not get it right? If true, then you might just be delaying the age of onset of illness, and of course, with herpes this is no good.
Why should a parent risk this potentially dangerous later onset for there child?
Why are "chicken pox" such a bad thing for a child to have?
Please help, thank you.

 

[rastelli]

I am not aware of a herpes vaccine. In pediatrics we recommend a varicella zoster virus vaccine....not the same thing. This vaccine is very benign, and minimizes infections risks dramatically. Not only is the vaccinated child spared the threat of illness (if the do contract the virus, the case is very mild), but also aids in preventing spread to relatives and cohorts (at school, in daycare, etc). VZV is no joke. Kids (and some adults) die of it every year. Less so now, but back in the day moms would have "chicken pox parties" if one of their friends was ill. The thought being, "Well, my kid will get it eventually." This was one reason more kids were dying from the disease. If you ever see a patient with varicella pneumonia, you won't think of chicken pox the same again.

 

[PBEA]

I am not aware of a herpes vaccine. In pediatrics we recommend a varicella zoster virus vaccine....not the same thing. This vaccine is very benign, and minimizes infections risks dramatically. Not only is the vaccinated child spared the threat of illness (if the do contract the virus, the case is very mild), but also aids in preventing spread to relatives and cohorts (at school, in daycare, etc). VZV is no joke. Kids (and some adults) die of it every year. Less so now, but back in the day moms would have "chicken pox parties" if one of their friends was ill. The thought being, "Well, my kid will get it eventually." This was one reason more kids were dying from the disease. If you ever see a patient with varicella pneumonia, you won't think of chicken pox the same again.

Thank you for your reply. I had not thought of the atypical presentations as justification for the vaccine. I realize all the reduced threat of infection and transimission, etc, but am still confused as to why delayed onset is better. I mean if the individual is going to get it any way, isn't still better to have it while you are young?

 

[notstudying]

Thank you for your reply. I had not thought of the atypical presentations as justification for the vaccine. I realize all the reduced threat of infection and transimission, etc, but am still confused as to why delayed onset is better. I mean if the individual is going to get it any way, isn't still better to have it while you are young?

The herpes viruses which cause oral and genital herpes, are different than the varicella virus, which causes chicken pox (the primary infection) and herpes zoster-which is a misnomer. This is also known as shingles, and is caused by the reactivation of latent varicella virus in nerve pathways. The varicella vaccine also appears to confer lifetime immunity, and may also protect against shingles. Chicken pox is much worse to get as an adult, which is one reason so many were exposed intentionally early, before the vaccine was available. Adults who are routinely exposed to kids are also advised to get immunized. So kids are immunized against varicella to prevent both pediatric and adult onset infections, both of which can be serious.

 

[kas23]

There is a herpes simplex vaccine, but it is not commercially available YET. It is currently being development for widespread use. I think it should take about another 5-10 years for it to come out and I believe it is only effective in females.

 

[rastelli]

I think Kas knows a bit too much about this herpes vaccine...just an observation.

 

[kas23]

I think Kas knows a bit too much about this herpes vaccine...just an observation.

Ha! Good obeservation. But, sorry, it's only for chicks.