Private TB Vaccine Birmingham
You can book your private TB vaccine in Birmingham, with one of our qualified team members, at a time and date to suit you.
Until 2005 all children between the ages of 10 and 14 yrs were offered the TB vaccine. Following this TB rates in the UK were so minimal that it was no longer deemed necessary to continue the vaccination programme. However, the private TB vaccine is still readily available at our Birmingham clinic.
For patients aged 6 years and above, who request a private TB vaccine in Birmingham, we will carry out a skin test or blood test first. This allows us to determine whether or not it is safe for you to have the vaccine.
We need to establish that you have not already been infected with, and do not have an active form of, the disease. Once this has been shown we can go ahead with your private TB vaccine from our Birmingham practice. If you’d like to discuss whether or not you should benefit from having the TB vaccination, please contact us and we will be happy to advise you.
Tuberculosis, commonly known as TB, is a bacterial infection caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lungs but can also spread to other parts of the body, such as the brain, spine or kidneys. TB is contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks.
Preventing TB in children starts with vaccination. The BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) vaccine, often given at birth in areas where the risk of TB is higher, helps protect against severe forms of the disease in young children. Keeping children away from people diagnosed with active TB is also crucial.
Ensuring good hygiene practices, such as handwashing and covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, can reduce the risk of TB. You should also maintain well-ventilated living spaces, as TB bacteria thrive in closed and crowded environments.
TB is diagnosed in adults using a combination of tests. The Mantoux skin test involves injecting a small amount of tuberculin under the skin and checking for a reaction. If a reaction is present, it’s an indication you have been exposed to the TB bacteria. Blood tests are also used to measure the immune response to the bacteria.
If a doctor suspects TB in the lungs, they may order a chest X-ray to identify abnormalities. A sputum test may also be carried out, this examines lung secretions under a microscope and can confirm the presence of TB bacteria.
