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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Do I need drugs if Ive has a BCG?
Answered by
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Do I need drugs if Ive has a BCG?
by mddipe, Dec 10, 2001 12:00AM
I had a skin test for TB which came out positive. My MD says I need to take six months of medication which may cause liver damage and other side effects. I am from the UK so I've had a BCG - won't I always have a poisitive skin test?? Do I really need to take the medication??
Thanks.
Thanks.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Dec 31, 2001 12:00AM
, Dec 31, 2001 12:00AM
Most people who had Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine as a child do not react positively to PPD as an adult. Therefore, when we see an adult with a positive PPD we infer that he/she may have been infected with TB (especially if they are at risk as a health care worker or other exposures). Since we don't believe that a childhood BCG protects against adult TB, we too recommend Isoniazid (INH) preventive therapy.
