I heard that, even without the vaccine injected in you, the chance of getting TB in the US is so small there isn't much of a point to administer it in the first place. Is this true or is it just a rumor?
2007-07-11 11:10:39 · 4 answers · asked by guacamole 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
The TB vaccine, known as BCG, is routinely given in about 100 countries where the incidence of TB is very high. It does not always prevent a person from getting TB, but protects against it's most serious complications. Even then, it is an imperfect vaccine, but still valuable where TB runs rampant.
In the USA it is recommended only for:
1) a child who is continually exposed to a contageous person with isoniazid and rifampin resistant pulmonary tuberculosis and cannot be removed from this exposure.
2) the child is exposed to a contageous person who is ineffectively treated, and the child cannot be removed from the exposure.
3) Certain health-care workers in high risk settings.
BCG vaccine is not recommended for persons with a positive skin test, nor for persons with weakened immunity.
2007-07-11 11:27:12 · answer #1 · answered by greydoc6 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There was just a big commotion about TB in the US a couple of weeks ago. I don't remember exact details, but the basics were that a man was tested for TB, then left the country, and while he was gone, the results came back positive. He was threatened with criminal charges and he had to skirt the law to get back into the united states. It turned out that he had a less contagious and less harmful strain of TB.
It happens in this country. It's rare but not impossible to get.
The vaccines and testing are important for healthcare workers, and can even be important for veterinary health workers. Large apes and even deer can get tuberculosis.
Of course, like most vaccinations, wether you or your child gets them is up to you. You have the right to decline (most) treatments.
2007-07-11 18:42:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you haven't gotten the shot, I would. Yes there is a small chance that you would end up getting it but if you do there is no cure. My husband has this disease and he had to take meds for 9 months so the TB would stay doormat. He will have this for the rest of his life. Your choice.
2007-07-12 01:49:13 · answer #3 · answered by MommyB 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i dont know
2007-07-11 18:13:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋