From: CRDAMC Preventive Medicine

(June 2, 2008) - Small Pox vaccinations result in a bump that eventually blisters, then turns into a scab that falls off about two to three weeks later.

Until the scab falls off, a person who has been vaccinated can spread vaccinia virus to other people.

This can cause problems such as rash (mild to severe), fever, and head and body aches in the other person.

Vaccinia is spread by touching the vaccination site before the scab has fallen off, or by touching items like bandages, clothes, sheets, or towels that have touched the site.

The Center for Disease Control provides tips for preventing the spread of the vaccinia virus to other people.

Until the scab falls off:

• Do not touch the vaccination site or any items that have touched it (such as bandages, clothes, sheets, towels, or washcloths used by the person who got the vaccine).

• Wash with soap and warm water right away if you accidentally touch the vaccination site or items that were in contact with it. Do not touch your eyes or any part of your body until you have washed your hands.

• If you share a bed with the vaccinated person, be sure that they wear a gauze bandage held in place with first aid tape. To be extra careful, the person who got the vaccine should wear a shirt or pajamas that cover the bandage. If they do not, you may choose to sleep in another bed.

• Don’t share towels or clothing. Keep clothes, towels, sheets, or other items used by the vaccinated person separate. He or she should machine wash items that have touched the vaccination site using hot water with detergent and/or bleach.

• Remind the person who got the vaccine to follow the vaccination site care and hand washing instructions they have been given.

The vaccination site often becomes itchy, which may lead to scratching, rubbing, or touching of the site.

If their hand has vaccinia virus on it and they touch you, you can be infected.

Fort Hood Morale Welfare and Recreation does not permit the use of swimming pools, swimming areas, and gyms until the scab from the vaccination has fallen off and healed.

The following information was obtained from the Center for Disease Control Web site. For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/smallpox, or call CDC at 800-CDC-INFO (English and Spanish) or 888-232-6348 (TTY).