{"id":9888,"date":"2019-08-13T06:11:13","date_gmt":"2019-08-13T06:11:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=9888"},"modified":"2021-04-25T18:03:36","modified_gmt":"2021-04-25T18:03:36","slug":"16-benefits-of-getting-a-bcg-vaccine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/16-benefits-of-getting-a-bcg-vaccine\/","title":{"rendered":"16 Benefits of Getting a BCG Vaccine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Bacille Calmette-Guerin or BCG is a vaccine for tuberculosis. People born in foreign countries should have the vaccine. Many countries have a high percentage of tuberculosis, so it is given to prevent military disease and childhood tuberculosis meningitis. In the United States, the BCG vaccine is not required because there is a low risk of getting tuberculosis. It is recommended that it only be given to certain persons who meet the criteria for getting the disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, the vaccine should be given to children who have parents who are prone to tuberculosis. The child may get the disease, so getting the vaccine will help. Health care workers should only be given the vaccine if they are at risk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The facility where they work may have a high rate of tuberculosis, so by getting the vaccine, they won\u2019t contract it. Here are eight benefits of getting a BCG vaccine that you need to be aware of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Protects children from getting tuberculosis is one of the benefits of getting the BCG vaccine. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The vaccine is given to children who live in countries where they could be exposed. Tuberculosis <\/a>is a serious infectious disease and needs to be prevented at all costs. Children can be exposed to tuberculosis by their parents. When a person sneezes or coughs, they may not cover their mouth. When this happens, the child has a higher rate of getting the disease. It is a good idea to get the BCG vaccine early. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That way the child doesn\u2019t have to worry about getting the disease. If the child is at school, if another child happens to have tuberculosis, the parent doesn\u2019t have to worry about their child being exposed to it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The child needs to be checked often to see if they have tuberculosis, such as with a skin test. The skin test will show if the child has the disease or not.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. The vaccine protects the child for 15 years after getting the BCG vaccine. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It protects the child against severe forms of tuberculosis. Even though, it only lasts for 15 years, in that time parents don\u2019t have to worry about their child being exposed to the severe form of it. Children will be exposed to germs<\/a>, but the vaccine lowers the risk of getting it at all. The vaccine needs to be given at least six months after they are born. The vaccine is free of charge in foreign countries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Americans who decide to travel to foreign countries need to have the BCG vaccine before they leave the US. Even though it\u2019s not a disease that affects the US, it can be gotten when traveling to foreign countries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you leave a foreign country, you should be examined by a doctor. That way you don\u2019t bring the disease to the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. It helps children with weak immune systems. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Children with weak immune systems can get tuberculosis faster. Even if they get the vaccine<\/a>, their TB test could come out positive. It is important to get the vaccine when the child is a baby to prevent the disease from getting into their body. The vaccine lasts for 15 years, but in certain cases, the BCG vaccine could be given again, especially since the child has a weak immune system. Skin tests will need to be given on a regular basis as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In foreign countries, people live in poor conditions and can transmit diseases to one another. Instead of getting treated for tuberculosis, they decided to let it stay in their bodies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The vaccine is free in their country, so there is no excuse. With the BCG vaccine, the child at least won\u2019t get tuberculosis from other people around him or her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Protects from getting germs related to tuberculosis. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you have tuberculosis, it is spread by air droplets, such as sneezing and coughing<\/a>. Some people don\u2019t cover their mouths when they sneeze or cough. When this happens, germs are spread. If the child\u2019s immune system is weak, they\u2019ll easily get the disease. By getting the BCG vaccine, the child will be able to fight any germs they are exposed to. It is always good to practice good hygiene, even though, the BCG vaccine has been given. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The child could get a severe form of tuberculosis, which could lead to death, if not treated early. They can also have other health problems in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children in poorer regions are unable to get the BCG vaccine. They continue to get sick and their bodies will get weaker. Their parents don\u2019t have transportation to get their children to the doctor to get the vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Free BCG vaccine is given to under five years of age who have a risk of getting tuberculosis. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once the child is born, parents should make sure the baby is able to get the vaccine. BCG vaccines can be given at least six months after birth. By waiting to get your child the vaccine, he or she has a higher chance of getting tuberculosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, parents who live in poorer regions can\u2019t get vaccines for their infants<\/a>. They have to go without the BCG vaccine and if their parents have tuberculosis, they will more than likely catch it too. When they sneeze and cough, they may not know the proper way to do it without spreading germs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it\u2019s time for the child to enter school, they may or may not be able to go because the parent didn\u2019t get the BCG vaccine for their child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. Protects people from dying is another reason for getting a BCG vaccine. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When the vaccine is given early, it is able to work in the body, so that when the person is exposed, they don\u2019t have to worry about getting severe tuberculosis. Severe tuberculosis can cause health problems and can lead to death. Tuberculosis affects the lungs<\/a>, so as long as it isn\u2019t treated, the lungs will get worse and the person with a difficult time breathing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The infected person will have to go to the hospital if he or she can and get treatment. For instance, a person living in a poor area may not be able to get to a doctor soon enough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When he or she does get to the doctor, death may occur in the doctor\u2019s office. The person may even die at their home. If anyone knows they have tuberculosis, they need to find a way to see a medical professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. Health care workers would benefit from getting a BCG vaccine. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Health care workers are exposed to a number of diseases in a health care facility. They could easily get tuberculosis from their patients. Patients go to health care facilities because of sickness. The health care worker may not be aware of what the patient has until it\u2019s too late. The BCG vaccine may scare the worker since he or she may not know anything about it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The medical professional who is administering the BCG vaccine needs to educate the health care worker on it and what benefits it has. Even though the vaccine is mainly for infants and children <\/a>under 16, people from 16 to 35 can get it if they work in a medical facility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the BCG vaccine, health care workers still should protect themselves by always wearing gloves and a mask, even though, they are protected from tuberculosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. The effectiveness of the BCG vaccine is between 70 and 80%. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

That lets people know that they are unlikely to get tuberculosis meningitis<\/a>. It can affect the spinal cord and brain. The child won\u2019t be able to function like other children. In foreign countries, the teachers may not want children with tuberculosis meningitis in their classrooms. If they do allow them in the classroom, they have to wear a mask, so that other children won\u2019t get infected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to get your baby vaccinated with BCG as soon as the child arrives. The longest you can wait is six months. The longer you wait, the less effective it will be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The BCG vaccine works well, but a tuberculosis skin test needs to be done to make sure that there is no sign of the disease in the body. Sometimes the skin test comes out positive, even though, there was no sign of tuberculosis with the vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. Preventing Unnecessary Hospitalizations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tuberculosis is a severe and chronic disease that has no cure. Patients who experience the onset of severe symptoms typically require hospitalization to help them manage the worst effects of the disease. Admission due to tuberculosis can cost medical providers and insurance companies a lot of money. The patient will also have to deal with the expenses involved out of pocket with managing their condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By receiving the BCG vaccine, the patient can grow up healthy without the risk of contracting tuberculosis. As a result, there is less unnecessary hospitalization of patience with a preventable disease like tuberculosis. Fewer hospitalizations place less pressure on the medical system, ensuring that countries do not experience overwhelming hospitalizations due to the spread of disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vaccines are a critical component of modern medicine<\/a>, and they are an effective means of stamping out severe diseases, such as viruses and bacteria that cause the onset of epidemics. Thanks to vaccines, we no longer have to deal with medieval diseases or diseases like tuberculosis, which are entirely preventable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. Potential COVID-19 Treatment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The coronavirus <\/a>pandemic sweeping the globe is crushing many of the world’s health systems in developed and emerging nations. However, there is anecdotal evidence that suggests that the BCG vaccine may also protect against the deadly COVID-19 pandemic sweeping through the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those countries that have high levels of BCG vaccinations may also experience lower levels of severe cases. There are infection studies conducted by Irish medical consultants working in collaboration with epidemiologists from the University of Texas. These studies show those countries with vaccination programs using the BCG vaccine, such as Ireland, have a significant reduction in the death rate as compared to other countries with BCG vaccines were not mandatory for children. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, as a result of BCG vaccinations, the countries that employ vaccination programs using the BCG vaccine or likely to see a death rate up to 20 times lower than countries that do not have an existing plan. However, it’s important to note that these findings are still anecdotal and have yet to receive any peer-reviewed information coming to light on the efficacy of the vaccine and treating patients with COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

11. Potential Prevention Against Pulmonary Disease in Adults<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is also anecdotal evidence suggesting that the BCG vaccine may also help prevent the onset of pulmonary disease occurring in adults. However, the results of these tests vary geographically, depending on the countries that received BCG vaccine programs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Countries that did operate BCG vaccine programs and then discontinued them find that they have low incidences of pulmonary disease in adult populations that received the vaccine in their youth. Pulmonary disease describes any issue involving disorders of the heart lungs and respiratory system<\/a> in adults.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medical science is at a loss to explain the reason why the BCG vaccine may lead to better resistance to pulmonary disease in adults. However, some medical experts believe that it is probably because of a previous mycobacterial infection after receiving the BCG vaccine. The vaccine leads to improved immunity against the pathogens that cause these diseases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it’s essential to note that all this evidence is somewhat anecdotal, and there are no peer-reviewed studies on this work available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

12. Preventing the Spread of Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before the invention of vaccines, diseases had the upper hand on the human race. The black death and other virus plagues throughout the centuries wiped out millions of people. However, The Spanish flu of 1918 was the first pandemic <\/a>of the modern age occurring in the wake of this First World War.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Spanish flu took the lives of between 20 to 50-million people around the globe, wreaking havoc to economies and populations that would take over a decade to recover. There have been numerous other outbreaks of disease across the world over the last 100 years, with smallpox and measles being examples of illnesses that claimed the lives of millions of people around the globe. Fortunately, vaccines put an end to many of these devastating diseases, ensuring the future generations of human beings will never have to deal with medieval illnesses that are entirely preventable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, vaccinating children against tuberculosis using the BCG vaccine was a huge success in countries where the disease was prevalent, such as South Africa. However, the CDC recommends that American children do not receive the BCG vaccine. The reason for this decision is that the CDC does not see tuberculosis as a disease of concern for American children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

13. Vaccines Save Lives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In March of 2020, The World Health Organization (WHO) announced the first pandemic since the rise of the Spanish flu in 1918, more than 100-years earlier. The emergence of a new novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, swept around the globe, infecting millions, taking the lives of tens of thousands of people in the first wave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The disease caused by the virus, otherwise known as COVID-19, continues to create a global pandemic reaching every corner of the globe. We can expect that the only way to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the future and prevent it from becoming a seasonal disease that we have to deal with each year, is the introduction of a readily available vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only through the successful trial and launch of a vaccine, will we see a reduction in global cases and deaths attributed to the spread of COVID-19 through the population. Eventually, enough people will receive the vaccine so that we develop a herd immunity against the virus, and it fades away into obscurity, much like its predecessors such as smallpox <\/a>and polio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

14. Vaccines Protect Future Generations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Vaccines <\/a>protect for future generations against otherwise preventable diseases. In the 1980s and 90s, local communities in South Africa were dealing clusters of tuberculosis affecting children across the country in low-income demographics.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the introduction of the BCG vaccine, save the lives of possibly millions of South African children, preventing them from infection with this deadly bacterium. As a result of the vaccine program in South Africa, today’s tuberculosis infection rate remains low among the countries children and adult population. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping across the globe, any hope for gaining herd immunity to the disease lies in the invention and distribution of a vaccine to the global population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, medical experts state that a vaccine is still well in the future, and we can expect it no sooner than 18 months. The reality is that vaccines are incredibly challenging to manufacture and test, and we should be waiting for more than a decade before we ever see a vaccine available for COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

<\/div>