CHAPTER 46CHAPTER 46
Immunizing Drugs andImmunizing Drugs and Biochemical Terrorism Biochemical Terrorism
04/22/23 1Winter 2013
IMMUNITY
Immune response… Antigens
… Antibodies
Active immunization Passive immunization
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IMMUNIZING BIOLOGICALS
Biological antimicrobial agents… Also called biologicals
… Used to prevent, treat, or cure infectious diseases
Antitoxins
Antisera
Toxoids and vaccines (immunizing biologicals)
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TOXOIDS
Antigenic (foreign) preparations of bacterial exotoxins
Detoxified with chemicals or heat… Weakened or “attenuated”
Cannot revert back to a toxic form
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TOXOIDS (CONT’D)
Stimulate one’s immune system to produce a specific antibody… Artificial active immune response
These antibodies protect against future exposures
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VACCINES
Suspensions of live, attenuated (weakened) or killed (inactivated) microorganisms
The weakened form prevents the person from contracting the disease
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VACCINES (CONT’D)
Also stimulate the production of antigens against a specific antibody
Vaccinations with live bacteria or virus provide lifelong immunity
Vaccinations with killed bacteria or virus provide partial immunity, and booster shots are needed periodically
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ACTIVE IMMUNIZATION
The body is exposed to a relatively harmless form of an antigen
The immune system is stimulated and “remembers” this antigen if subsequent exposures occur
Do not cause a full-blown infection
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ACTIVE IMMUNIZING DRUGS: EXAMPLES
BCG vaccine (tuberculosis) Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis toxoids,
several forms Haemophilus influenzae type B conjugate
vaccine Hepatitis A and B virus vaccines
04/22/23 9Winter 2013
ACTIVE IMMUNIZING DRUGS: EXAMPLES (CONT’D)
Measles, mumps, and rubella virus vaccine, live—several forms
Pneumococcal bacterial vaccines Human papilloma virus vaccine
(Gardasil) Poliovirus vaccine; several forms Rabies virus vaccine
04/22/23 10Winter 2013
ACTIVE IMMUNIZING DRUGS: EXAMPLES (CONT’D)
Smallpox virus vaccine Tetanus toxoid Varicella virus vaccine
(chickenpox) Yellow fever virus vaccine Many others
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PASSIVE IMMUNIZATION Serum or concentrated immune
globulins from humans or animals are injected into a person
The substances needed to fight off invading microorganisms are given directly to a person
The immune system is bypassed
Short-lived compared with active immunization, but works faster
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PASSIVE IMMUNIZATION (CONT’D)
Naturally acquired passive immunity
… From mother to fetus through the placenta
… From mother to infant through breast milk
Artificially acquired passive immunity
… Acquired from an external source, such as
… injection of antibodies or immunoglobulins
04/22/23 13Winter 2013
PASSIVE IMMUNIZING DRUGS
Antitoxins Immunoglobulins Snake and spider antivenins
(antivenom)
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PASSIVE IMMUNIZING DRUGS: EXAMPLES
Antivenins… Pit viper, coral snake
… Black widow spider
Hepatitis B immune globulin Immunoglobulin, various
forms Rabies immunoglobulin
(human)
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PASSIVE IMMUNIZING DRUGS: EXAMPLES (CONT’D)
Rho(D) immune globulin (RhoGAM)
Tetanus immunoglobulin
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INDICATIONS
Active immunization… Prevents infection caused by
bacterial toxins or viruses
… Provides long-lasting or permanent immunity
… “Herd immunity”
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INDICATIONS (CONT’D)
Passive immunization… Antitoxins, antivenins, immunoglobulins
… Minimizes effects of poisoning by the venoms of spiders and certain snakes
… Provides quick immunity before a person’s own immune system has a chance to make antibodies (such as in cases of exposure to hepatitis B or rabies viruses)
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INDICATIONS (CONT’D)
CDC/Department of Health and Human Services recommendations for adult and pediatric immunizations (U.S.)… Provide specific dosages and
intervals for immunizations
… Refer to the CDC website for current recommendations
04/22/23 19Winter 2013
ADVERSE EFFECTS Range from mild and transient to very
serious or life threatening Minor effects
… Fever, minor rash, soreness at injection site, itching, adenopathy
Severe effects… Fever higher than 103° F, encephalitis,
convulsions, anaphylactic reaction, dyspnea, others
04/22/23 20Winter 2013
ADVERSE EFFECTS (CONT’D)
Minor reactions… Treated with acetaminophen and
rest
Serious or unusual reactions… Serum sickness
… Report serious or unusual reactions to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)
04/22/23 21Winter 2013
NURSING IMPLICATIONS
Assess previous reactions and responses to immunizations
Assess for contraindications, including immunosuppression
04/22/23 22Winter 2013
NURSING IMPLICATIONS (CONT’D)
Before giving any drug, recheck the specific protocols for administration and schedules for administration
04/22/23 23Winter 2013
NURSING IMPLICATIONS (CONT’D)
Encourage parents of young children to keep a journal of the child’s immunization status, with dates of immunizations and reactions, if any
04/22/23 24Winter 2013
ILLNESSES CAUSED BY POSSIBLE BIOTERRORISM AGENTS
Anthrax Smallpox Botulism Tularemia Viral hemorrhagic fever Plague
04/22/23 25Winter 2013
POSSIBLE BIOTERRORISM AGENTS
Sarin (nerve gas) Mustard (blistering agent) Cyanide (blood agent) Chlorine (choking agent) Radioactive elements Ricin
04/22/23 26Winter 2013