You may not have heard of this medicine called VIG before. That's not surprising, because this is not a medicine we usually use. It is an injection into a vein that is given only in very special cases, in a hospital, under the direct supervision of a doctor. So let's talk a little about it today, what this medicine is, what conditions it is given for, and what you need to know about it.
Simply put, what is VIG?
The full name of VIG is Vaccinia Immune Globulin. It's a very complicated name, isn't it? Let's understand this simply.
"Immune Globulin" stands for antibodies . These antibodies are part of our own army that fights germs that enter our body. This VIG medicine is made by collecting these antibodies from healthy human blood.
This medicine is mainly used for:
1. Treat complications caused by the smallpox vaccine .
2. Treat Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) infections .
The most important thing is that this medicine is not given for common colds, flu, coughs, or bacterial infections. It is only used for very specific, serious conditions.
Things you need to tell your doctor before using this medicine
If you decide to give this medicine to yourself, it is essential that your doctor knows your complete health history. Because, you need to be very careful when using this medicine with certain health conditions. Therefore, if you have any of the following, be sure to tell your doctor.
- If you have problems with blood clots or if anyone in your family has.
- Dehydration , which means there is a lack of water in the body.
- Diabetes Mellitus , which means high blood sugar levels.
- If you have heart disease .
- If you have kidney disease .
- If you have a special immune system condition called IgA deficiency .
- If you have recently received any vaccine, or are planning to receive one in the future, this is very important.
- If you are pregnant, or trying to get pregnant.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother.
- If you have previously been allergic to this VIG medication, another type of immune globulin, or any other medication, food, or dye.
It is very important for your safety to say these things without hiding them.
How do you give this medicine?
This is not a medicine you can take home. It is an injection that is given into a vein, like saline . Therefore, it is only given in a hospital or clinic by a trained medical team, such as a doctor or nurse.
The medical team will monitor you closely during treatment.
What happens if you take too much medicine?
Since this is given in a hospital, the chances of an overdose are very low. The medical team is fully aware of this. However, if you suspect something like this, inform your doctor or nurse immediately. If necessary, they will contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice. They will also refer you to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) in any emergency.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine?
Like any medicine, VIG can cause side effects in some people. But not everyone gets them. It is important to be aware of these symptoms. Let's break them down into two parts.
| Side effects of VIG | |
|---|---|
| 🚨 Serious symptoms that you should report to your doctor or nurse immediately | |
| Allergic reaction | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. |
| Blood clot | Leg pain, swelling or warmth, difficulty breathing, chest pain. |
| Kidney injury | Decreased urine output, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet. |
| Symptoms of brain infection | Fever, neck pain or stiffness, sensitivity to light, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion. |
| Other serious symptoms | Fast or irregular heartbeat, seizures, difficulty breathing, signs of low red blood cells (unusual weakness, dizziness, difficulty breathing). |
| 🙂 Symptoms that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| General characteristics | Back pain, dizziness, flushing, general headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting. |
Some other special things to know
Vaccines and VIG
This is very important. Because VIG is a combination of antibodies, this medicine may reduce the effectiveness of some vaccines you receive (especially live virus vaccines). This means you may not get the protection that the vaccine provides.
Therefore, if you receive this VIG vaccine and need to get any vaccinations within the next 3 months, be sure to tell your doctor. Your vaccination schedule may need to be changed or you may need to be given an extra dose (booster dose).
About making this medicine from human blood
Yes, this medicine is made from human blood plasma. But don't worry. The process of collecting blood and producing the medicine is carried out according to very strict standards, removing things like viruses, and is done safely. When compared to the benefits of giving this medicine, the risks are very small. If you have any further questions about this, talk openly with your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- VIG (Vaccinia Immune Globulin) is not a medicine given for common illnesses. It is a medicine given only for special, serious conditions like complications of the smallpox vaccine and Mpox.
- This medicine is given in a hospital, as an injection into a vein, only under medical supervision.
- It is essential to tell your doctor about any other illnesses you have, medications you are taking, allergies, and pregnancy without hiding anything.
- Immediately inform the medical team of any unusual symptoms (especially allergic symptoms, breathing difficulties) that occur during administration of the medication.
- After taking this medicine, be sure to seek medical advice before receiving any other vaccinations.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න