BCG vaccine and tb test

[DIARD 1]

I was curious if anyone here that had the bcg vaccine when they were young and tested positive for tb? My finance remembers getting the BCG jab in school when he was around 8 yo. Unfortunately, his doctor cannot find records of this or of any other vaccines, even though he was fully vaccinated for what they gave at that time (60's and 70's in the UK). His doctor says this could present a problem when he goes for his medical as he will more than likely test positive. Has this happened to anyone else from the UK? I am worried about this as I think the other test takes 8 to 12 weeks to get results back from.

Should I have him get tb tested from his GP now to check and possibly at sputum culture too or is this not a problem? I really don't want an extra 3 months tacked on at the end. (He hasnt any other risk factors nor been around anyone exposed etc).

Thanks

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

In much of Europe, the BCG is standard- I know in Ireland it is. They don't even bother with a TB test here for the visa, they just make you have an x-ray, which will show whether you have TB easily. I suspect it'll be the same in the UK.

On the other vaccines though, if he has no record of being given any childhood vaccines, he will probably need to repeat them all. No big deal, but it may cost some extra money and I am not sure if they can all be taken at the same time or if he'd need to wait a while (like with the MMR in kids, being given over several months). He may want to check on that with his GP and/ or a doctor registered with the embassy.

Edited August 23, 2009 by Penguin_ie

[DIARD 1]

Oh, I hope your right and they don't do tb test for uk. That would be a relief. My SO has gotten some jabs on Friday, just mmr, polio and td I think. Doctor just gave him standard vaccines for his age as we didn't know what the aos medical would need. Can't believe they can't find any records for him.

We haven't even gotten the noa2 yet but I made him go and make sure his blood pressure etc was fine so we won't have surprises down the line. Then we found out about the lack of records and started the vaccines, didn't cost anything so far.

[Boiler 45,993]

Everybody from the UK tests positives, I had a little scare until I remembered that.

[Welshcookie 17]

They don't test for TB. I did have to undergo a TB test as the USAF required it before he was "allowed" to marry me...and yes I tested positive...I was strongly encouraged to take the 9 month, liver damaging/immune damaging regime..I refused. It was never an issue during by visa process though.

[DisneyLovers 18]

Everybody from the UK tests positives, I had a little scare until I remembered that.

Not everyone does, a percentage of us that had the BCG don't. My Dr here did titers at the AOS stage for the other vaccinations my previous dr had lost records of and did a TB skin test at the same time, mine came up negative, and seem to remember others on here testing negative too anyway no TB test at the medical besides a chest X-ray like others have said.

Edited August 23, 2009 by DisneyLovers

[Welshcookie 17]

Everybody from the UK tests positives, I had a little scare until I remembered that.

Not everyone does, a percentage of us that had the BCG don't. My Dr here did titers at the AOS stage for the other vaccinations my previous dr had lost records of and did a TB skin test at the same time, mine came up negative, and seem to remember others on here testing negative too anyway no TB test at the medical besides a chest X-ray like others have said.

This is true also....my 'positive' test was pretty impressive and maybe that gave the doc some concern, but my chest xray was as clear as a bell.

[Kirsten UK 2]

Yep, I too had the BCG at school, and there is now no record of it! I did have a skin test a few years ago, which was positive, and the nurse wrote on the skin test certificate she gave me to say the reaction was due to a previous BCG vaccination. Now, any medical practitioner in the UK can write a letter to say you have a BCG scar if you show it to them as proof of previous immunization.

I could be mistaken, but I think I read recently that they have changed the rules at AOS stage to now screen for TB as well as a few others (Hep A I think??) Yes, a chest x-ray will only exclude active TB, so its debatable what USCIS might potentially do if you haven't had a BCG. I got the I-693 filled out by Dr Arnold just in case purely because of the grey area surrounding TB right now, I sent her my skin test certificate (but i'm not sure whether she included it or not!). Fingers crossed all my medical records are up to date! Heres the link to the TB info:

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD

Edited August 24, 2009 by Kirsten UK

[Nicoxcx 1]

I never got the skin test for TB for my AOS. Was never a problem, I also didn't get hep A or B. I imagine neither was a problem because I haven't worked anywhere it is needed like a hospital, custodial work etc;.

I also had my BCG in school, I am pretty sure it is common in all corners of the UK to have it in School.

Kirsten I don't know if it's my pain in the butt computer but the link you posted shows up empty!, I was hoping to be lazy and not have to search for it hehe.

[Kirsten UK 2]

hhhhhhmmm, thats strange, it works for me?? Sorry, i'm no good on computers, I don't know what else to try other than copy and paste, which is what I did originally