BCG

[Sally81]

Hi all.....have to take my 3 and a half month old for the BCG tomorrow. Was in two minds about it but the OH is really keen.

Is it a nasty one? Will it really upset him?

I'm sure there was a thread about it a while back but can't seem to find it.

Just wondering what experiences others had?

[slh2009]

Hi...the actual injection (in the arm) is fine...there were no tears anyway. About 8 weeks later it came up in a massive lump filled with pus which burst one night in the bath, did not seem to bother baby at all, just not nice to look at. It is going down gradually but still there some weeks later and will scar I guess but he hasn't been upset by it at all.

[Sally81]

Ahh that's reassuring. Thank you...I had heard it was a real nasty experience, but perhaps they all react differently. He was quite good with his last lot of jabs so hopefully he'll take it in his stride.

[slh2009]

I don't think any of the babies I know found it as bad as the regular immunisations so hopefully you will be ok! Also I do think it is worth having as I know someone at the moment with suspected TB in London and would rather avoid that. Good luck!

[ClareC]

My daughter was fine having the BCG and had no reaction afterwards either.

[srisky]

The actual jab was fine - cried but forgotten within seconds. The injection site can become inflamed/pus filled several weeks to months afterwards. TB is a horrid disease that can affect nearly any part of the body and, in some cases, can be v.difficult to treat.

[Kes]

My daughter had a good scream when the jab was done but was fine minutes later and had no reaction afterwards. There are really high TB levels in some parts of London (mostly north of the river!) so probably worth it.

Hope it goes ok!

[jills]

Opposite for us - my son had it when he was 5 weeks old and slept through the whole injection. However, a few weeks or so later it came up into a pussy blister that took months and months to heal. Not to scare monger at all though, it never, ever bothered him and I'd do it again next time. Just a very faded little mark now.

[melbourne groover]

The pussy blister thing is pretty normal. It can occur within a few weeks but can take months to burst and heal. Neither of my kids were bothered by this in the least. I would definately recommend (from a parents point of view) getting it done when they are young as my daughter had it at 2.5yrs and it was horrendous (lots of crying, I had to hold her arm down, truly horrific ...for me mainly). Not sure my son even noticed at 8 months, no tears. Much smoother experience all round...

[Sally81]

All done and was totally fine. Nothing to worry about whatsoever. He looked the lady straight in the eye, never flinched, screamed, cried - Nothing and has been totally fine since. I was warned it could become a pussy, blistery type thing, yes.

Glad it's all done and there was no fuss! Thanks everyone.

[slh2009]

Oh that's good, glad it went well!