In an update to a previous report, the 2-year-old boy from Indiana who contracted a rare and life-threatening infection from his father’s smallpox vaccination is showing signs of recovery. According to Foxnews, he is expected to be upgraded from critical to serious condition soon.
Doctors have been using innovative methods, such as skin grafts and an experimental drug never before used on humans, to save the boy’s life. The severe pox lesions he developed required grafts to allow the underlying skin to heal, and his progress has exceeded expectations.
The boy has been receiving care at the University of Chicago’s Comer Children’s Hospital for the past month. He initially developed a virulent rash covering over 80% of his body after coming into contact with his father, who had recently received a smallpox vaccination before being deployed overseas by the Army.
It’s important to note that the boy is not suffering from smallpox itself, but from a related virus used to confer immunity to the more dangerous disease.
Health officials assure the public that there is no risk of infection to the general population, as the virus can only be transmitted through close physical contact.
Doctors mentioned that the boy had a pre-existing condition called eczema, which is known to increase the risk of such an infection.
The military resumed smallpox vaccinations in 2002 due to concerns about bioterrorism.
Overall, the boy’s recovery progress has been remarkable, and his case sheds light on the importance of precautions and understanding when it comes to vaccinations.
