What is Immune globulin?
	Since Immune globulin is made from blood plasma, can I get AIDS or other diseases from it?
	Who should receive Immune globulin?
	Who should not receive Immune globulin?
	How is Immune globulin administered?
	What are the side effects of Immune globulin?
	How long can I expect the protection from Immune globulin to last?

Immune globulin (Ig) is a sterilized solution obtained from pooled human blood plasma, which contains the immunoglobulins (or antibodies) to protect against the infectious agents that cause various diseases. Antibodies are substances in the blood plasma that fight infections. Our bodies create antibodies (or immunity) against disease-causing agents when infections occur. These antibodies can protect us from becoming ill if we are exposed to the same infectious agents sometime in the future. When someone is given IG, that person is using other people's antibodies to help fight off or prevent an illness from occurring. This protection is temporary and should not be confused with getting an immunization, which provides longer-term protection. Special Ig formulations are produced from donors with high levels of antibodies against hepatitis B (Hepatitis B Immune Globulin-HBIG), rabies (Rabies Immune Globulin-RIG), tetanus (Tetanus Immune Globulin-TIG) and varicella (chickenpox) (Varicella Zoster Immune Globulin-VZIG). Immune globulins are sometimes called gamma globulins or immune serum globulins.

Prior to use, each unit of Ig is tested for evidence of the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), hepatitis B & C, and many other blood-borne viruses and bacteria. Units that carry these viruses and/or bacteria are eliminated. In addition, several chemical processes are used to sterilize the product to eliminate other disease-causing germs. There is no evidence that Ig causes disease, despite several studies that have looked into this. No cases of AIDS have been due to the receipt of Ig. Immune globulin administered in the United States is a very safe and effective preventive against disease.

People exposed to or in danger of being exposed to certain infectious diseases (i.e., hepatitis, measles, rabies, tetanus and varicella) may be offered injections with the appropriate Ig. Ig recipients should realize that, although the product is highly effective, it is not 100% effective in preventing disease. Some individuals may develop the infection they were exposed to in spite of having received Ig. That is why additional precautions may need to be taken to further protect the person or others from disease. For example, if you were exposed to hepatitis B, you would want to avoid donating blood for six months after receiving Ig in case the Ig wasn't effective in preventing the disease from occurring.

Ig should not be given to individuals who are known to have had serious allergic reactions to thimerosal (for example, a generalized body rash, difficulty breathing, and swollen lips), or other immune globulins. Individuals with blood clotting disorders that would prevent them from safely obtaining an injection and those with IgA deficiency (a rare blood disorder) should not receive Ig.

Shock-like reactions to intramuscularly administered Ig are rare. Recipients are encouraged to wait 20 minutes in the clinic after the injection.

Because Ig may interfere with development of good protection after measles, mumps, rubella or varicella vaccination, people who have received Ig should not receive these vaccines for the next three months. If Ig is given during the two-week period following an immunization against measles, mumps, rubella or varicella, the immunization should be repeated three months after the Ig was received.

Ig is given by injection into a muscle. The dosage and the site for the injection vary according to the amount of Ig required and the size of the person (typically this is in the buttocks for adults, and the leg or arm for children.)

Local pain, tenderness, itching, and swelling at the injection site is to be expected and typically goes away within a day. Non-prescription medications such as aspirin or acetaminophen can be used to lessen any discomfort.

If your blood is tested after receiving Ig, it may show evidence of the antibodies to various diseases during the three months after injection. Be sure to let any health care provider you see in the next three months know you have received Ig.

Ig administered by injection persists in the body for several months. The protective effect of the injection disappears after approximately three months. If risk of exposure to disease continues individuals may require additional Ig.