TB Skin test (Mantoux) in person previously vaccinated with BCG

[vickyclare]

Hi,

I need some info on the Mantoux TB skin test.
First of all, I'm 21, female and have just started a degree in Nursing. I am 2500% CERTAIN that I have had my BCG but no one will believe me!! I got it when I was about 14, I remember getting the skin test a couple of days before, nothing happened, went back, got a jag in my arm, and for the next 5 years I had a typical white scar on my arm. Problem is the scar has recently faded considerably and although visible is not "sufficient as evidence of previous BCG"

To make matters worse there was a problem with the BCG vaccination records for my entire school year and consequently I have no documentary evidence!

Since I'm studying nursing I can't go on placement until occupational health can confirm my TB status. They did a Mantoux skin test last week but for some reason instead of a nice raised red bump I got a massive purple bruise. (personally I think the needle was inserted wrong to cause the bruising) Since this couldn't be read they did another Mantoux test on my other arm. I'm due to go back in 7 hours to get it checked but theres nothing on my arm this time, not a mark.

My question is how can this be?? I've DEFINITELY had my BCG! So why am I not reacting to it? No doubt I am going to go in tomorrow and be told I'm wrong and I've never had a BCG and they will want to give me it AGAIN, so is it bad to have it twice? If the skin test is negative does that mean my BCG didn't work? Is there any kind of blood test I can request to test immunity?

I really appreciate any information you can give me on this subject because I am so sick of being told by someone who has just met me that I am wrong and delusional!

Thanks in advance for any replies!

[divegirl]

Hi, can you not just have the BCG again? Surely it would save a lot of stress and time.

Lisa x

[pie+mash]

Hi vickyclare,

What a dilemma!

If you went to school in GB, it is a common practice to test all pupils for TB around the age you stated. I cannot think why the "powers that be" do not believe you, unless of course they think that you tested positive. Whilst at school, I had this test along with all my classmates. I tested positive (along with a chum of mine), as did my brother and another lad. We had to go to a hospital to have lung X-Rays to check if we were carrying the disease. Luckily we were not, but the reason why we showed as positive was because it meant we had been in contact (at some stage in our lives) with someone who had TB.

All this was explained to us as to why we did not need the BCG. I suppose it is like having become immune because of the earlier contact.

I hope you get this all sorted, but if you have to have another BCG I cannot think this will be harmful to you.

[vickyclare]

Thanks for the answers!

I can't have the BCG again as I have already had it and it is not recommended to have it again as it makes you very ill.

That is why they don't just give it to everyone, they carry out a skin test first. If it was harmless to have it twice or have it even though you were immune they wouldn't bother with the skin tests!

Strange thing is I now have a positive result on my arm - but it only appeared 4 days later. Not sure what this means!

Thanks anyway!

[vickyclare]

I doubt anyone from this thread will read this as it is over a year later but I thought I would update you anyway...

In November I finally caved and let them give me the BCG again since I was told I would not be able to continue on the course without it. They promised me the chances of something going wrong were minimal especially since they still didn't believe I'd actually ever had the BCG in the first place!

Now I'm not usually one for saying "I told you so" but in this case I think it's allowed. I was right!!!

2 days after receiveing the BCG I came down with flu like symptoms and my arm began to swell and swell and was bright red. It was really hot to the touch and a large hard lump could be felt under the skin. I ended up being under daily monitoring it was that bad. The red lump on my arm was 12cm in diameter. I had a massive abscess where I'd had the BCG. Eventually it burst and needless to say there was A LOT of puss. My arm pussed and pussed for 9 months before eventually scabbing over. Every single health professional who saw my arm said it was the worst reaction they had ever seen. I had a giant hole in my arm that was 4.5cm DEEP.

Now, a year and 3 months later I still have a massive crater in my arm. It's dark red and has lots of spider veins in it. I can't wear sleevless tops anymore cos it looks disgusting and people point and stare at it or ask what on earth happened.

So that's why I didn't want it again. And I hope this story is a warning to anyone else who may be in a similar position and thinks it will be easier to just have the BCG again. Don't let them do it!!!! If you are already immune your body will launch a massive immune response and you will end up with a big ugly hole in your arm.

I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy!!

[woivre]

Hi - thank you for posting the update.

I am in exactly the same position you were in - no visible scar, yet definitely had the injections at school. I cannot persuade them that I have had it, and cannot find anywhere to have a Mantoux test (although from your description, I suspect that it too will show negative).

What a horrible situation for you, and I will use your example to try to stop them giving me another BCG.

Thanks,
Jo