Coronavirus

[The Engineer 483]

I see they are now trialling the efficacy of the BCG (TB) vaccine in reducing seriousness of C-19 infection (and also note that this was suggested in the Lancet in April so why the delay in progress?).

Though many of us had the jab when in early teens, its protection apparently wanes as the years go by so if it proves useful, we'd need a booster (priority to be given to health care workers).

I read that BCG has not been used routinely in the UK since 2005, but I wonder whether this (and other various childhood inoculations) is why young 'uns have few or no symptoms of C-19?

[Jill Sparrow 8,466]

Was that the jab involving 6 needles, given at secondary school?

 

I am seriously needle phobic and refused to have it. My response would be no different now.

[nonnaB 4,144]

9 minutes ago, Jill Sparrow said:

Was that the jab involving 6 needles, given at secondary school?

 

I am seriously needle phobic and refused to have it. My response would be no different now.

 

Jill I think it was but I can't remember it hurting like an ordinary hypodermic needle.  After all the times I've had to have a needle stuck into me I'm now immune.

[Beekay 2,798]

Jill, in reply to your query, the six needle jab was a tester for TB. It depended on your reaction to this. If the site was red and raised, it showed that you had an immunity to the virus. Mine came up red on only three of the punctures so the doctor asked if anyone in my family had TB.

I replied that my Uncle Ernie died of TB, I had visited when alive so the doctor said I'd got immunity so didn't need the main injection. If no reaction occured, then you had two injections, if there was evidence of reaction some kids had only one shot. Thought I might be in that group but the doctor thought otherwise.

 

[MargieH 6,616]

Sorry BK, I’d written a similar post but you got in first!

The one with 6 tiny needles in a circle was the  MANTOUX TEST for TB.  If it reacted by showing up as a red circle in a few days, that meant the person had been in contact with TB, so they didn’t need the actual BCG vaccine to give them immunity.  If there was no reaction, then the BCG vaccine was given.

When I was tested in 1960, my test reacted so I didn’t need to have the jab.  However I did have to have a chest X-ray to make sure I didn’t still have it - they said many people just caught it and then their immune system overcame it.

My chest X-ray was OK.  

These days, the MANTOUX test is given just under the skin by a single needle!

[Beekay 2,798]

Didn't know what it were called. Had my test about 55/56 ish. Had me first chest x-ray 1958, as part of Coal board medical. When I went back as an xray technician 20 years later, I found my original film among nearly half million films.

[LizzieM 8,669]

I had the TB jabs (2 at that time in the early 60s) and in those days I went swimming every day straight from school so every day the scabs floated off into the pool, I know ....... hope nobody swallowed them!
 

When my boys were at school in Hertfordshire some of the pupils were boarders, every year several new boys from China would need to get tested because they’d  never had the TB test or jab Over there so as I helped the School Matron out I had to escort them to the local hospital to get the test. It was interesting sitting in the hospital waiting room trying to make conversation with Chinese kids with limited English This was in the 1990s.  Referring to The Engineer’s post above, it makes one wonder if there is any relevance with lack of TB jabs in China! 

[Jill Sparrow 8,466]

I was the only one who refused the test and I've survived until now, so I'm not too worried. Sounds like I saved myself the trauma of at least 8 needles!!

[nonnaB 4,144]

BK and Margie yes I too was in contact with my aunt who had TB. Lizzie I hope no one swallowed them too but I remember that those who had the to injection had to wear plasters over the scabs.

[Beekay 2,798]

We were all quaking with fear, in the queue for checking test results from the six shooter. When the doctor told me I  were OK  and could manage without a jab, I could have kissed him ! Consequence from my mates who were suffering the two jabs was, " Lucky Bleeder "!!

[Stuart.C 254]

I had the full package.

6 point test and double jab.

 

I seem to remember someone saying it won't hurt, standard for all injections by Nurses at the time, I believe.

I don't remember it hurting, what I do remember is the pain from catching the double scabs which seemed to take weeks to come off.

 

Still got the scars now.

 

 

[philmayfield 4,280]

I think they used to say ‘you might feel a bit of a prick’ but they changed it to ‘sharp scratch’ to stop the ribald humour.

[jonab 1,636]

My dad had TB and was incarcerated in Newstead Hospital for about six months during which time I was reluctantly taken to the chest clinic, Forest Dene, on Gregory Boulevard for investigation as to whether I had the disease and to have the BCG if I was clear.

 

What a creepy place Forest Dene was. I imagined it as Frankensteins Castle but full of mad scientists in white coats inflicting untold terrors on anyone brave enough to pass through its doors. I had to go there multiple times for X-rays, Mantoux tests (several as they couldn't decide on the results they were getting) and eventually have the injection itself. That was far from straightforward as an abcess formed at the injection site which issued foul smelling pus for months. They didn't seem to want to do anything about the abcess other than put a dressing on it and to go back in a month.

 

It did clear up eventually but there is still a large scar on my arm. Matches the smallpox vaccination scar on my other arm though.

[Jill Sparrow 8,466]

I was also a regular visitor to Forest Dene due to a propensity for bronchitis every winter after contracting measles as a four year old.  I loved the place because I knew someone there would utter those longed for words, "Keep her at home!"  

 

Since early childhood, I've loved old buildings and Forest Dene appealed to me.  I was appalled to see what now occupies the site.

 

Memories of wading through piles of red and gold fallen autumn leaves, walking along Gregory Boulevard with my mother, wrapped up in scarf,hat, gloves, etc, on our way for another chest x ray.  The cold autumn/winter air made me cough all the more!

[Stavertongirl 1,425]

My dad had TB and was in Newstead Hospital, that is where he met my mum she was A nurse there (very romantic - he liked the nurse uniforms, in his later years when he had to go to hospital he was bitterly disappointed that the nurses weren’t wearing them anymore!!) So I had had a TB jab before the school one. Obviously I reacted to the ring of needles and although my mum told them I had had the jab I still had to go to Forest Dene for an X-ray. Not sure if I had to stay off school until I got the all clear.
Not sure from what I have read that having the jab so long ago makes a difference, it seemed a booster might be needed possibly?

[Cliff Ton 8,942]

I don’t know if she actually had TB, but my mother spent some time at Newstead Sanatorium in the late 1950s-early 60s. I’ve no idea how long she spent there or how serious it was because I was young and didn’t understand what it was all about.

 

One thing I remember was myself and my sister sometimes having to stay with various grandparents while my dad went out to work; the only times we ever slept at either grandparents house.

[Cliff Ton 8,942]

Interesting to see the figures which go a long way to explaining why Nottingham is topping the charts.

 

https://westbridgfordwire.com/coronavirus-over-1500-students-and-staff-test-positive-at-university-nottingham/

[Brew 4,150]

I think it was totally predictable that an influx of 60,000 bodies from around the globe would have this effect, to expect anything less is naive in the extreme.

[MelissaJKelly 2,049]

Not sure why student's have been advised to go back when all their lectures are online. Surely these could have been done from their home cities?

[trogg 1,422]

I think it was clear why the Unis wanted all the students back, they are now not seats of learning , they are businesses. Once the students have started they pay the course fees and accommodation. When they are sent home they will not get any cash back. Am I a cynic or what?

A better system would have been as Melissa stated let them study online at home , that way the Unis would still receive the course fees and next year, when hopefully the virus is under control, they could start at the Unis.  But with most Universities building their own accommodation they need the money.

[philmayfield 4,280]

Its not cynicism. You're spot on. Someone who teaches at a university told me exactly that last weekend.

 

[radfordred 5,361]

We need to live with COVID19 it's not going away, there's no sign of a vaccine or an end & we can't keep closing things down, we might just have to accept & live with it & get on with life

[The Pianoman 1,396]

Up to a point I must agree. It's time to just get on with life - but take obvious precautions.

[nonnaB 4,144]

Yesterdays news in Europe. A giornalist was in Liverpool, while she was talking they were showing scenes from various cities in UK and started talking about the closure of pubs at 10 pm. She waited until the pubs closed ready to interview customers what they thought. She didnt get a chance, a group of them went into the street and started dancing to someones music. Whats the sense in closing at that time, people arent ready to go home.

[philmayfield 4,280]

Have you ever been to Liverpool. I know it quite well. It was ‘City of Culture’. God knows how it got that accolade! I wouldn’t go again.