Think you had a bad day at work?

[eppie]

Hi,
Interesting. It brings up a question that I've long had but never bothered to research.

I understand, more or less, how a prophylactic vaccine works in terms of exposing the immune system to a diminished threat in order to generate a resistance to a greater threat. What I don't understand is how a vaccine works that is administered (as in this case) to someone who has been already exposed to the greater threat. A quick google failed to bring up anything particularly useful, and Wiki let me down.

So, if anyone has a good link or an explanation they are willing to type, I'd appreciate the info.

Thanks.

--Pete

But is it said this vaccine was prophylactic?

Also I think the effect that it has on the human body does not say all about the 'strength' of the virus. It might be killed by a vaccine made with a far less dangerous species.

I am not an expert on these kind of things though.