Dear readers: All of the current interest about AIDS has focused increasing attention on a somewhat similar problem (though certainly not an identical one) with hepatitis B. Fortunately, in the case of hepatitis B there is a vaccine which is effective in preventing the disease.
The Dec. 13, 1985, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association deals with various aspects of the transmission and prevention of hepatitis B. In an editorial (page 3218), one of the leading researchers in hepatitis studies discusses the issue of mentally handicapped children–who are more likely to carry hepatitis B–being placed in regular classroom situations.
The position taken in the editorial is that because Public Law 94-142 has mandated public education for handicapped children, ”. . . including those who are hepatitis B carriers, it should be the responsibility of appropriate public health authorities to provide the vaccine for staff members or students who are at risk of infection. Candidates for vaccination should include those persons in the classroom who may have intimate and prolonged contact with carriers. Casual contacts in corridors, in the assembly or the cafeteria are not at increased risk.
”The present cost of a recommended series of three doses of hepatitis B vaccine is about $100 for adults and about $50 for children. Neither exposed teachers nor parents of exposed children should be expected to assume this financial burden. Various cities and states have established a policy providing funds and facilities for seriologic screening of contacts and administration of vaccine to those who are serum negative.” (Serum negative means that there is no evidence of having developed immunity.)
Nearly everyone has a general idea of what arthritis is–inflammation, achiness and stiffness in the joints–but a variety of misconceptions have taken hold. Clear, concise information can be found in Dr. Johnson`s booklet. To order your copy, send $2.25 to Arthritis, P.O. Box 4406, Orlando, Fla. 32802-4406. Make check payable to Newspaperbooks.
