Is Treatment BCG contagious while in bladder?

9 years 1 month ago #48482 by sara.anne
Replied by sara.anne on topic Is Treatment BCG contagious while in bladder?
I wouldn't think that your husband would be in any danger in this situation. My boyfriend had chronic lymphocytic leukemia, with a very impaired immune system, and his doctors saw no problem with his being around me. If you should get any
urine on your hands, you will wash them thoroughly immediately and that should do it.

Sara Anne

Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
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9 years 1 month ago #48480 by designer1
Replied by designer1 on topic Is Treatment BCG contagious while in bladder?
I want to thank you for your links and explanation! Please if I may also ask this very important question. My husband has a compromised immune system with his lungs. Is it possible that after my dad has a treatment and me bringing him to his own home, that I could contract tuberculosis or bring anything to either one of "us"? I would think that this would be done in the hospital should he have "spillage" on the way home if he cannot hold his urine. He currently is wearing "DEPENDS" just in case he has a leak. I would not want him to infect himself or burn himself. Oh THANK YOU!. This doctor tells us nothing about this. :unsure:

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9 years 1 month ago #48472 by sara.anne
Replied by sara.anne on topic Is Treatment BCG contagious while in bladder?
BCG is a live bacterial preparation which contains modified TB bacteria. It is possible for caregivers to be contaminated....those who administer it use gloves and sometimes masks (if working with the powder.) If you feel that there is a change that you may be exposed to it, it would be a good idea to carry surgical-type gloves, lots of tissues, a plastic bag for disposal, and wash very thoroughly with anti-bacterial soap.

I was able to drive myself home from treatments, but this only took about 30 minutes. I was able to "hold it" for almost the full two hours, but individuals vary. Your dad may want to have a male "bed pan" with him, just in case. He probably won't need it. He will not have a catheter...a very small tube is used to place the BCG solution and it is removed immediately.

I am copying web site information for several patient information leaflets.

www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/866/opendoc/139761

www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-94519/tice-bcg-intravesical/details

I liked the format of the one from Wales, so I included it. Please do not panic at the list of side effects...These always must be included, rare as they might be, and most are extremely unlikely.

Good luck to you. Your dad is lucky to have you.

Sara Anne

Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum Moderator
The following user(s) said Thank You: designer1

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9 years 1 month ago #48470 by designer1
Hi, I am a caregiver and wonder if the Intravesical Immunotherapy something that another individual can get TB for? And is a catheter required to "hold" in the drug for several hours because my father has an hour long ride home after treatment. Thank you so much for all this very helpful information. I would have expected the physician to give all this help but sometimes Dr.'s have a tendency to tell you what you will have done but little information even in written form to what to expect until they "do it".

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