Should Actors Who Kiss Get Vaccinated? — Page 2

YIKES! Is all I have to say. I guess germaphobs are everywhere!

---

And many DO pretend. There are many that do not.

Additionally:
An actor with pneumonia probably isn't performing, but home getting better. They get sick time, and usually aren't afraid of using it.

2nd you can't CATCH pneumonia. You can catch the cold and it MAY develop into pneumonia....but pnuemonia alone is not contagious.

There are many, many stories on b'way that do not require any sort of kissing...but how do you tell a ROMANTIC love story without it?

Maybe they should shake hands but only after they publically use an antibiotic hand gel. Then it will become KNOWN as a kiss.


THUD.

---

I hope they at least wear condoms.

---

double post - see my next post with link (computer issues)

Updated On: 5/14/09 at 02:23 PM

What is "not nice" to discuss is the possibility of contracting HPV from an open-mouthed kiss while you are just doing your job in your line of work. Mouth closed may avoid or reduce this risk. HPV is mainly known as a venereal disease virus that causes venereal warts and can lead to cancer of the cervix in women though it can lead to other cancers and conditions.

I thought that was pretty obvious and didn't need to be spelled out.

Interesting that you say pneumonia is not contagious, but I think that is not quite accurate. You may be thinking of it as being just a "condition" of the lung but the website below says it is an "infection" of the lungs caused by virus or bacteria which can be contagious.

If you pick someone to date you have a choice; it should be voluntary. You don't usually have the luxury of choosing with whom you work because the actor doesn't generally do the casting, plus an understudy or new cast member can appear overnight.

I think actors and AEA should be aware of all newly discovered health risks. The risks should be discussed and evaluated as "on the job safety" issues and not dismissed. If the risk is serious and can be avoided, it should be.

This is work, not interpersonal choices in dating.
Pneumonia

tazber - that's just plain silly! Condoms when they are kissing?

This whole thread is plain silly.

---

Agreed.

Thinking about the available vaccination, there are many kinds of HPV and the vaccine was developed specifically against two kinds which can lead to cancer of the cervix. So the vaccine is not a preventative for all kinds of HPV virus that could be transmitted.

By the way, there is a vaccine now for pneumonia, it's been around a while, but you have to ask for it when you go to your doctor because they don't automatically suggest it like they do flu shots unless you are elderly. It's good for several years.

And Lynnespock2, I think your icon is plain silly.

Updated On: 5/14/09 at 04:42 PM

Just to clear up some misinformation in this very strange thread, many, many drugs are used by doctors for conditions for which they are not FDA-approved. This common practice, known as "off-label" use, is entirely ethical, and in truth it would be hard to practice medicine without it.

So anyone who wants Gardisil can get it, and it would not be hard to find a doctor to do it. Getting your insurance to pay for it is another matter. Very unlikely, if not impossible.

I would think that would make THEM unable to do their job. I would HOPE a quick talk with the stage manager should send the infected person home!

---

Thanks for that "off-label" use term, marknyc; I didn't recall the extact term but that's it.

Ignorance in my eyes is the failure to properly assess and evaluate risk and do what you can to prevent harm.

No one is talking about "forced" vaccinations; wake up.

AEA has a duty to evaluate all health concerns and on-the-job risks to its members if it claims to protect their interests. AEA should evaluate this newly discovered medical risk as it affects their members.

On-the-job health risks also can have the potential to become worker's compensation claims.

CPR used to be taught with direct contact mouth to mouth resuscitation, but no more. You are given and use face shields now. Emergency responders carry them.

So why should actors have to have open mouth contact in their work and take risks we don't want lifeguards or other workers to take?
face shield

I don't see how anyone could use a face shield onstage without it being obvious.

It seems the best solution would be not to have open-mouthed kissing to reduce the risk.

I was *trying* to be silly lynnespock. In keeping with the spirit of the thread.

---

This is the first time I read this thread, and I must say it was one heck of a way to start my saturday.

---