ATTN: UK Beneficiaries. Question about the medical and getting into the US

[thejoz 0]

I have been discussing my case with a guy on another board I visit (not an Immigration one) and he talked about how because people in the UK are vaccinated against Tuberculosis, that during the medical exams, even if a chest x-ray or whatever comes up negative, the US can 'force' you to take 3 months worth of a drug called Isonaizid, which according to his nurse of a wife, has a good chance of screwing up one's liver.

So, I need to know, did this happen to you or not? Were you vaccinated against TB, and then when you tried to get in the US, were you told you had to take such drugs?

He said he didn't actually take the drugs, because he clearly doesn't have TB. Apparently, and not all too surprising, the US is dumb and stuff.

Please, if you went through the UK (specifically London, but I don't know of any other embassies in the UK that would do this) advise as to what happened when you went through the medical part of getting to the US.

[jerricho 0]

I HAD MY MEDICAL IN LONDON. THE ONLY TWO VACCINATIONS THAT WERE REQUIRED WERE THE MMR AND TETNUS (HOPEFULLY I HAVE SPELT THAT CORRECTLY) SO I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE TB VACCINATION.

[janaus 0]

The US can't technically force u to take any medical treatment. However, if you pose a high risk of infection to others, then the govt will require treatment, etc..(depending on what it is) before they let u in the country. Also, if you don't have evidence of active TB , exposed to someone with tb, previous history of tb, or are coming from High risk country (which UK overall isn't) then you most likely don't need treatment. There's a whole set of guidelines they follow before they recommend tb treatment or prophylaxis. The only vaccines you'llneed are tetanus/diptheria, MMR which is measles /mumps/rubella. IF you had the BCG vaccine which is TB vaccine, then they'll do a chest x ray. Though negative cxr in some cases doesn't necessarily mean u don't have tb. Hope that helps!

[thejoz 0]

The US can't technically force u to take any medical treatment. However, if you pose a high risk of infection to others, then the govt will require treatment, etc..(depending on what it is) before they let u in the country. Also, if you don't have evidence of active TB , exposed to someone with tb, previous history of tb, or are coming from High risk country (which UK overall isn't) then you most likely don't need treatment. There's a whole set of guidelines they follow before they recommend tb treatment or prophylaxis. The only vaccines you'llneed are tetanus/diptheria, MMR which is measles /mumps/rubella. IF you had the BCG vaccine which is TB vaccine, then they'll do a chest x ray. Though negative cxr in some cases doesn't necessarily mean u don't have tb. Hope that helps!

Well it kind of doesn't.

The other couple says that they were seen by a doctor in South Carolina (read: here in the US) and the UK beneficiary was vaccinated for TB, and it apparently showed up in the test, even though he doesn't have TB, never has, etc.

So apparently, if you cause a false positive, that is, the TB vaccine shows up in your system, then they can tell you you have to take medicine to stop it.

I am wondering if anyone who's gone through London that's had the vaccine caused this false positive, or if it was never mentioned, or what.

[Slightly Bonkers 0]

I worked with kids in the Maryland for 5 summers

In the second year a new law was enforced that all people working with kids had to have a clear TB test

The 100 people at the camp took a TB test

2 people got a positive

Me (irish) and another guy (scottish)

We were quaranteened and eventually brought for a full chest xray at a TB clinic

Both of us turned up clear

It was because it's standard for most UK/Irish people to have a TB vaccination at a very young age

And as part of the vaccination a small amount of TB stays in your blood

Which ultimately shows up as a positive in the quick TB test

I have a nice big certificate from the TB clinic saying that I'm clear that I intend to bring to my interview

But I imagine doctors in England will be well aware of the situation

[thejoz 0]

Yeah I'd like to think so.

Any more stories from anyone who's actually entered the US on a K1/K3 and passed POE and all that?

[thejoz 0]

Would still love replies from anyone who's been through...

[KarenCee 3]

Why don't you post this in the UK Forum...I bet you'd get a lot more information there.

[Mel_and_Daniel 1]

I noticed from my vaccine record that I was vaccinated for TB when I was 6 months old. From what Slightly Bonkers says, it seems that I might be getting a false positive as well. It's good that I have my records handy.