Smallpox vaccinations

[Fraggle2]

Does anyone know why most smallpox vaccinations were done on people's left arms and therefore the vast majority of my parents generation have a scar on their upper left arms?

Is there any reason they didnt use the right arm? Is this the same for all injections/vaccinations?

Cheers

[Ethel]

The smallpox vaccination was not like the flu jab you may be familiar with today.

Two days after the injection a lump appears at the site of the jab, along with a swelling in the general area. This becomes a weeping 'sore' which in turn becomes a scabby crust. It has to be kept covered with frequent changes of dressing.

Soreness of the area and aching in the arm is common. A general feeling of 'unwellness' also affects most people.

It takes at least three weeks for the effects to pass.

As the vaccine can't be injected into certain body areas such as muscle the left arm is generally the best place as most people are right handed.

The upper left arm is easily accessed for dressing changes and can generally be rested more than the right arm.

Today some injections are given in the bottom, in the leg, stomach and either arm, depending on the type of injection and patient preference in some cases.

[Porque_Jorge]

And you can have vaccinations done on your back so that you do not have that scar if you are really worried!

[Dr Hungry]

Vaccinations are delivered intramuscularly ie into a muscle, as the rich blood supply allows the vaccine to be carried easily to the rest of the body. Injections in the upper arm are delivered into the deltoid muscle and as Ethel correctly said, most people are right handed so they use the left arm. This also makes it easier for doctors in the future to check for a scar to see if people have been immunised as they know exactly where to look instead of having to check both arms. A similar scenario exists with the BCG vaccine at the moment, although that is being phased out now.

Other intramuscular sights include the thigh and buttock. Substances which should not be delivered to the body as quickly are given sub-cutaneously. This is just under the skin as opposed to in the muscle itself. This can be in the upper or lower arm, thigh or on the abdomen. People who have to inject themselves with insulin or heparin do this subcutaneously - it involves a smaller needle and is a bit less painful I think.

[spudqueen]

How old are your parents? I'm in my 40's and have a scar on my upper right arm (nurse must have thought I was left handed but I'm not!) but this is from my TB jab not smallpox.

[Gef]

I think Ethel is correct about the left/right handed thing. When I was at primary school (late 50s/early 60s) you were expected to be right handed and there was a lot of pressure to change if you were not. I resisted but took quite a few wallops because I did not hold my pen "correctly" - between thumb and forefinger.

Nothing to do with the thread but, as a teacher, I now see far more left-handers than when I was at school and they tend to be more prevalent in "brighter" pupils. (Ducks quickly!).