Tuberculosis

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IMMUNISATION

The tuberculin or Heaf test

When you go for the skin test a small amount of solution is spread on your forearm and a single use throw-away device with six tiny needles is pressed onto your skin on top of the solution. About a week later the nurse or doctor looks at the test area to check the reaction.

Depending on the amount of reaction, they will decide whether you are already immune to TB or whether you need the BCG injection. If you have had a reaction this will go away after a while, but you might get a tiny scar. If you have a very strong reaction to the test you may need a chest x-ray.

Some people will have been given the BCG vaccine shortly after they were born. If you have had a previous BCG injection, you will not normally need another one.

What happens after immunisation?

You will normally be given the vaccine as an injection in the upper part of the left arm. Within two to six weeks of the injection a small spot will appear which may feel sore for a few days. You will probably be left with a small scar.

If there is a more severe reaction, or an infection, you may need antibiotics to treat this. It's fine to have a bath or shower as normal and go swimming after having the injection. The sore area will gradually heal up, especially if you do not cover it up. It's best to leave it uncovered but if you have to cover it with a waterproof plaster, do not leave it on for more than 1-2 hours. Keeping it covered for longer than this can result in you developing a much larger scar.

Remember, prevention is simple, but treating TB will take a long time - often around 6 months.

If you want more information on TB, BCG or any other immunisations, speak to the school nurse, your own doctor or nurse or visit the DHSSPS website on www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/publichealth or the national immunisation website on www.immunisation.nhs.uk

Adapted with permission from material published by Health Promotion England. Produced by the Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland on behalf of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

Be wise - immunise

BCG and tuberculosis

BCG and tuberculosis

BCG is an important immunisation.
What is TB?

TB is an infection which usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body such as the bones or the brain. TB of the lungs is the most common type of TB found in the UK.

What is BCG?

BCG is the name of the vaccine that protects you against tuberculosis (more commonly known as TB). BCG stands for
Bacillus Calmette-Guérin, named after the person who developed the vaccine. BCG contains a very weak form of the germ which causes TB. The vaccine doesn't cause TB, but it stimulates the body to start building up immunity so it can fight the disease.

Children who have been in close contact with an infectious case of TB may also

BCG is 70-80% effective against TB when

be recommended BCG vaccination

given to school children, with protection

depending on the particular

lasting at least 15 years.

circumstances.

When is BCG given? How can you catch TB?

BCG is normally given between 10-14 You catch TB from someone who is already years of age in school. infected - generally from someone who

has infection in their lungs and who is BCG vaccination may be recommended coughing. Coughing produces tiny for children from countries where TB is droplets of saliva containing germs common. This may be given on arrival in (bacteria) which can stay in the air for long this country or around the time of birth periods of time. If you breathe in the for babies born here. germs they can cause the infection.

Do a lot of people catch TB?

Only a small number of people in Northern Ireland still get TB - in 2000 there were 50 cases reported. The numbers are small because generally we have good living conditions; we can treat people with the disease quickly; levels of immunisation are high. Around the world, the number of people catching and dying from TB is much higher and is increasing quite quickly in many countries.

How does TB make you ill?

TB usually begins as a small inflamed area in one lung. This inflamed area then grows and if it is not stopped in time it spreads to the other lung. Symptoms which then develop can include:

• a cough which can last for weeks;
• a fever;
• sweating - especially at night;
• weight loss;
• feeling tired;
• sometimes spitting up blood.
Sometimes TB can kill you if it's not treated in time. However, death is rare
because the drugs used to treat it are very effective.

How does the body fight TB?

If you catch TB, your body needs to recognise the bacteria as an enemy. The body's immune system will start making antibodies which attack the bacteria and fight the disease. If you have the BCG vaccination it prepares your body to start fighting the disease.

Who needs to be immunised?

People are only given a BCG injection if it's necessary. To check this a nurse or doctor will carry out a skin test called the tuberculin or 'Heaf' test. The skin test shows whether or not you are already immune to TB. (see also PPD/Mantoux and BCG pages)

Atypical TB