170 Doctors Online
Get your Health question answered in 3 easy steps
A Doctor will be with you shortly
Scar not developed after taking BCG vaccination. Re-vaccination required? Had visited uncle suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis
My son,1 year old now,received BCG during the 1st month of his life but did not develop any scar and he has not been revaccinated.He is a healthy baby and never got ill except 2 or 3 episodes of slight sore throat .20 days ago he visited his uncle who was later diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis and had chest at the time of the visit.Though the visit lasted 2 days I am now worried about my son being in contact with a person having active disease and also my son s uncertain vaccination status.What should i do?Have a Mantoux test done and revaccination or what?Please help.
Asked On : Tue, 19 Jun 2012
Answers: 1
Views: 105
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on Google+
hi,
there are 2 reasons for the scar not to be formed.. one is that in many children the vaccine gets taken up by the body and a good immune response is built up but outside scar formation on the skin may not occur.. the second reason being that vaccine may not be taken up at all.. the efficacy of this vaccine ranges widely between 0 - 80%!!
it is difficult to distinguish this on basis of scar so v can do a mantoux test done.. if the response is shown well that means child already has been exposed to tubercular antigens and is mounting a response and there is no need for another round of vaccination.. but in case his mantoux does not respond then it is better to get another dose of vaccination done.. and to be called a contact we usually take a period of 2 years to be living in the same house as with an active case of tuberculosis..this visit to uncle should not be much of an issue..
there are 2 reasons for the scar not to be formed.. one is that in many children the vaccine gets taken up by the body and a good immune response is built up but outside scar formation on the skin may not occur.. the second reason being that vaccine may not be taken up at all.. the efficacy of this vaccine ranges widely between 0 - 80%!!
it is difficult to distinguish this on basis of scar so v can do a mantoux test done.. if the response is shown well that means child already has been exposed to tubercular antigens and is mounting a response and there is no need for another round of vaccination.. but in case his mantoux does not respond then it is better to get another dose of vaccination done.. and to be called a contact we usually take a period of 2 years to be living in the same house as with an active case of tuberculosis..this visit to uncle should not be much of an issue..
Answered: Tue, 19 Jun 2012
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
People also viewed
Recent questions on
Loading Online Doctors....
Explore HealthcareMagic
© Ebix, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
All the information, content and live chat provided on the site is intended to be for informational purposes only, and not a substitute for professional or medical advice. You should always speak with your doctor before you follow anything that you read on this website. Any health question asked on this site will be visible to the people who browse this site. Hence, the user assumes the responsibility not to divulge any personally identifiable information in the question. Use of this site is subject to our Terms & Conditions
All the information, content and live chat provided on the site is intended to be for informational purposes only, and not a substitute for professional or medical advice. You should always speak with your doctor before you follow anything that you read on this website. Any health question asked on this site will be visible to the people who browse this site. Hence, the user assumes the responsibility not to divulge any personally identifiable information in the question. Use of this site is subject to our Terms & Conditions
What people are searching on HealthcareMagic