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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Told I was exposed to someone with tuberculosis

59 replies

pinkpalmtrees · 23/07/2021 16:12

I got a call from the hospital this morning to say that when I stayed in to have my baby last year, I was exposed to someone with tuberculosis.

I’ve been asked to go in for a screening next week.

I asked for more information and they were too busy to give it to me. I’ve had a look at what it is (had never heard of it before) and now I’m really worried.

Has this happened to anyone else before? I’m more worried that my baby has caught it.

OP posts:
Thestreets · 23/07/2021 16:14

Hi OP, When was the exposure?

Original poster
pinkpalmtrees · 23/07/2021 16:17

It would have been April 2020. They said I was more risk because I had diabetes during my pregnancy x

OP posts:
Pinkywoo · 23/07/2021 16:18

Have you not been vaccinated against TB?

Ghosttile · 23/07/2021 16:19

Did you have a vaccination at school?

Original poster
pinkpalmtrees · 23/07/2021 16:19

I have no idea!

OP posts:
Original poster
pinkpalmtrees · 23/07/2021 16:20

Oh I think I must have done, yes

OP posts:
DamnUserName21 · 23/07/2021 16:20

@Pinkywoo

Have you not been vaccinated against TB?
Likely not if OP is her 20s. BCG was stopped in 2005 for most people. Only high risk pops get it now.
Original poster
pinkpalmtrees · 23/07/2021 16:20

I’m 26

OP posts:
DamnUserName21 · 23/07/2021 16:21

@pinkpalmtrees

Oh I think I must have done, yes
Depends when you went to secondary school.
Original poster
pinkpalmtrees · 23/07/2021 16:22

Then in that case no I don’t think so because I wasn’t in secondary school until 2007

OP posts:
DamnUserName21 · 23/07/2021 16:22

www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/bcg-tb-vaccine-questions-answers/#:~:text=The%20BCG%20is%20no%20longer,low%20in%20the%20general%20population

Helpful link

HappyGirl86 · 23/07/2021 16:24

I think the vaccines stopped the year after me and I'm 35, so I doubt you had it at school unless you were considered high risk for some reason.

TB is a terrible disease, I can see why you are worried, but thankfully it's mostly I eradicated in the UK.
Try to remember you were exposed to it, that doesn't mean you will definitely get it, I'm sure the chances are very low but they just want to be fair to you and offer the screening.
Why don't you call your GP and see if they can offer you any reassurance?

Thestreets · 23/07/2021 16:25

I was vaccinated but still contracted TB a few years ago. If you were exposed over a year ago you would have very likely been highly symptomatic by now so I wouldn't worry too much.

Thestreets · 23/07/2021 16:32

Also I was a single mum to DS at the time who was 18 months old. He didn't get it even though I was very ill/symptomatic and coughing all over him when in close contact. Hope that puts your mind at ease slightly with regards to your baby Smile

mumwon · 23/07/2021 16:38

first thing - They are just being careful & its very unlikely
Are you going for a test (skin test???)?
Worst scenario there is an antibiotic treatment

icedcoffees · 23/07/2021 16:50

I think the vaccines stopped the year after me and I'm 35, so I doubt you had it at school unless you were considered high risk for some reason.

That can't be the case as I had mine in school and I'm 32. I think I was in year 9/10 as well.

whineybing · 23/07/2021 16:50

This happened to me quite a few years ago. Me and my son (3 year old at the time) had been in contact with someone with TB. We had to have the heaf test and a chest x-ray.

whineybing · 23/07/2021 16:51

Sorry posted too soon - we were both fine, please try not to worry

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 23/07/2021 16:53

Totally depends where you live as to of yiu were vaccinated. Kids where I live aren't but 20 miles up the road are.

I imagine they are just being ultra careful OP.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 23/07/2021 16:53

**if you

leakymcleakleak · 23/07/2021 16:53

Op if it helps: TB isn't as contagious as you might expect. I think its more likely you would be at risk if you were imuno-compromised in any way, which is probably where the diabetes reference has come from, but I wouldn't worry too much. Also, its so much more treatable now than it used to be. Because it has historically been identified as a disease of poverty and is still mostly prevalent in poorer countries, what you'll read about it online may not reflect the reality of being diagnosed with it in the NHS system. But I think the chances of you or your baby having it are very, very low, and in the unlikely event you do the fact you would be asymptomatic is encouraging for treatment.

BlueSurfer · 23/07/2021 16:54

I’d be pretty confident that the amount of time since exposure means you are ok and the follow up is just a formality.

Pedalpushers · 23/07/2021 16:58

For TB: the vaccine isn't particularly effective, it's not massively infectious unless you're regularly in close contact, and it is treatable.

2bazookas · 23/07/2021 17:23

Call your mother and ask if you were vaccinated against TB at school. Or, you could ask your GP to check your medicak records, explain why.

Puddington · 23/07/2021 17:25

@HappyGirl86

I think the vaccines stopped the year after me and I'm 35, so I doubt you had it at school unless you were considered high risk for some reason.

TB is a terrible disease, I can see why you are worried, but thankfully it's mostly I eradicated in the UK.
Try to remember you were exposed to it, that doesn't mean you will definitely get it, I'm sure the chances are very low but they just want to be fair to you and offer the screening.
Why don't you call your GP and see if they can offer you any reassurance?

I'm 29 and had the vaccine at school, so it seems to vary.

I also think you would most likely be symptomatic now OP given how long ago it was so try not to worry, they are probably just covering all bases Flowers