Quote Originally Posted by Doc Alan View Post
Members should be assured that vaccines DO protect against a huge number of infectious diseases at all ages, whether at home or travelling. If only there were vaccines available to everyone who needed them, and for all infections ! We’re still waiting for AIDS, malaria, and dengue vaccines, but many other safe and effective vaccines exist.


Active immunity can be acquired by natural disease or vaccines. Vaccines stimulate the immune system and consist of
• Live, attenuated ( weakened ) forms of viruses ( measles, mumps, rubella ) or bacteria ( BCG )
• Inactivated viruses ( ‘flu ) or bacteria
• Weakened toxins produced by the “ bug “ ( tetanus )
• Extracts of the “ bug “ ( pneumococcal ) or from recombinant DNA ( hepatitis B ).



Most bugs are “ antigenically stable “ , for immunisation purposes. ( Antibiotic resistance is another matter ). Influenza viruses A and B are constantly changing, as shown by the “ H “ and “ N “ antigens on their surfaces. That’s why the ‘flu vaccine is needed every year for “ at risk “ people – wherever they live. World Health Organisation ( WHO ) identifies in advance the viruses most likely to cause ‘flu and vaccines are made to “ match “ them. This year the three ‘flu viruses are H1N1 ( “ swine ‘flu “ ), H3N2 and B/Wisconsin/1.



By all means compare my detailed information about BCG on the forum ( http://filipinaroses.com/showthread....long-way-to-go ) with other sites. At the end of the day I’m only giving an informed opinion but I take time and care to make sure the information is accurate to the best of my knowledge ! Note the forum disclaimer " Anything posted in this section is the poster's own opinion and may not be accurate. Please seek professional advice. " Members can decide for themselves whether or not I and my posts are professional.
I only spoke to my GP a couple of weeks back on the very subject of TB.

I explained that my wife 2 babies and I are going back to the Philippines very soon and was wondering if it was safe going to an area where someone just recently died of TB.

He said as long as your babies has had the inoculation then really you couldn't have cause to worry..just follow safe hygiene practices like we do here.

I said I wasn't inoculated so was I safe...he said TB is a difficult condition to catch especially over a short period in being in that infected location...adults mainly catch it through kissing etc....