Hep C caused by military air-injected immunizations

[bronzestar]

I want to know if anyone knows of persons that may have had air-injected immunizations while i the military (vietnam era)? They line up one by one and get hit with the same air-injected gun, everyone had blood running down their arm. I firmly believe that's where I first came in contact with the virus but it could be a number of other things too.

[ceejay1962]

I talked with 2 of my buddies today about JetGun injections. They're both Nam Vets and had the same experiences I did with bleeding and blood splatter.

I got JetGunned probably 3-4 times in 5 years. I never recall seeing the guns or even the men's arms cleaned between usage. Same thing for needle injections.

"Because the jet injector breaks the barrier of the skin, there is a potential that biological material is transferred from one user to the next. Some infectious viruses such as hepatitis B (and C) can be transmitted by less than one millionth of a milliliter so makers of injectors need to ensure there is no cross-contamination between applications. The World Health Organization no longer recommends jet injectors for vaccination due to risks of disease transmission."

List of vaccines administered during the Vietnam era 1964-1973:

Cholera (whole cell), influenza (whole inactivated), measles (live), meningococcal A/C (polysaccharide), plague (whole cell),  poliovirus (live), smallpox (live), tetanus-diphtheria (toxoids), typhoid (whole cell, AKD
or H-P), typhus (whole cell), yellow fever (live)

CJ

[JimmyMose]

Another thread
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Military-Veterans/show/82241#post_9836938

FYI For claims  
If anyone is not are aware of this site  
http://www.hcvets.com/

[ceejay1962]

USMC 1961-1966.

If you weren't there. you don't know!

We received a round of booster shots every time we "mounted out'. That was at least 2 times a year. They consisted of 2 to 5 different vaccines, for example: Tetanus-diphtheria, Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Polio, Cholera or Plague shots. Occasionally we got Adenovirus shots too. I filled up 2 "shot cards" (military vaccination records) in 5 years.

The shots were originally given with needles which were supposedly sterilized and then reused. We passed through a gauntlet of Navy Corpsmen receiving injection in both arms.

I can remember getting 5 different injections at one time when they switched to the air guns. Most guys DIDN"T FLINCH!

It was the Navy Corpsman who were careless and didn't place the gun flat against your arm. It didn't hurt when properly done but if it wasn't centered and flat it stung like hell!.

They administered vaccinations to a whole company at a time - up to 300 MEN! They were always in a hurry to run us through the lines as fast as possible.  

I remember seeing blood spray several feet from guys arms and most of us had some blood running down our arms.

I've had abnormal liver function results ever since the 1960s. I was eventually diagnosed with Non A Non B Hepatitis. When the definitive test came out in 1992 I was told that I had Hep C and that I would probably need a liver transplant by the time I got to my 60s.

Two and a half years ago I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma which had spread throughout my chest and abdomen. I've been in remission for almost 2 years now.

There's is a strong link between Hep C and this kind of cancer. In addition to the Hep C, I was stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC on a number of occasions between overseas deployments.

There was ongoing drinking water contamination from 1953 to 1987. The Navy and Marine Corps did a massive coverup of the problem. Anyone who was stationed at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days during those years and has experienced any of 15 ailments may be eligible for VA health benefits. The Lymphoma I had was one of them.

http://www.benefits.va.gov/COMPENSATION/claims-postservice-exposures-camp_leguene_water.asp

I'm already in the VA system from service connected health issues from the 1960s.

I'm now in the process of trying to get some coverage for Hep C meds. I take 5 different prescriptions related to my Hep C including Xifaxan which is used for treating hepatic encephalopathy. In December my co-payment for Xifaxan was around $66 a month. Now it's $447 a month!

On a positive note, there will be 4-5 new drug cocktails for the treatment of Hep C coming out this year. These are Interferon and Ribavirin free and have very few side effects. So far they seem to have a better than 85% cure rate. Only problem right now is the projected costs of over $150k for a 12 week regimen.

CJ

[BROOKLYN1948]

DRAFTED INTO USMC 1968 DIAGNOSED IN 86 NON A NON B HEP. NO BENEFITS FROM VA DUE TO TYPE DISCHARGE NEVER USED IV DRUGS HAVE LEARNED TO LIVE WITH IT. GLAD I REFUSED SERVICE IN SE ASIA GOV. NEW WHAT IT WAS DOING GLAD TO STILL BE ALIVE MAYBE I SHOULD  HAVE GONE TO CANADA VETS ARE TREATED POORLY WE ARE NOT GUINEA PIGS  . WHERE DO WE TURN? THESE BUGS HAVE BEEN IN ME 45 YEARS.         BROOKLYN1948

[Motorcycleman1948]

I do not recall seeing as many women in the military like I do now? not a good analogy.

[dontworry_behappy1]

The Veteran Affairs is the number one provider of Hepatitis C treatment.  Here is their presentation on hepatitis C at "hepatitis.va.gov"  

There is a lesson plan about Hepatitis C and treatment.  It would be very beneficial to you to read the lesson because there is some valuable information your going to need.   Things like what is a good hep c diet.  Also, reference to trials etc.   As with most healthcare..you have to be pro active and educate yourself.  Sure we can't know everything but knowing what to ask and asking can be the difference between life and death.  

DWBH