Immigrants will be tested for TB

[AB Asks]

Immigrants arriving in Britain from India and China could be forced to take tests for TB. The plan is to test immigrants arriving from countries where the disease is more common. It is being done in an attempt to stop the fatal disease spreading. This move will probably not go down well for those arriving in the country to seek work. What do you think? Is it an infringement on their human rights to be tested or is this a great idea to prevent this disease spreading?

[LoftyLottie]

I think it's an excellent idea. I certainly wouldn't mind being tested for infectious disease if I moved to another country. It just makes sense and I can't see why on earth it infringes human rights.

[chompu]

They've been doing this for at least six years and I haven't heard anyone protest yet.

[Ed Strong]

Judging by the amount of people I see spitting in the street, I totally agree with TB testing for immigrants. It wasn't that long ago that you saw signs on buses etc telling people they would be fined if found hawking/spitting in public.

[LoftyLottie]

Most of the spitting I see on the streets is from non immigrant teenage boys and old men!!! Perhaps they should test these groups for TB as well!

[Gromit]

I was a bit baffle when I read this question because TB testing already occurs.

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagena me=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=11 34650060907

Is AB Ed making this up or has she got the wrong end of the stick again? When I did a search, this non-story is from the Daily Mail. As it is against the AB Eds religion to supply a link, here it is

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles /news/news.html?in_article_id=470439&in_page_i d=1770

The report is extremely badly written so I cannot blame the AB Ed for believing it. I think the testing refererred to in the question is for tourists coming to this country although the Daily Mail piece rather confusing goes on about Immigrants.

If you are able to extract the facts out of the Daily Mail's xenophobia, then it seems reasonable to test tourists for a disease that is prevalent in their country of embarkation.

I only think that is what the question and the DM piece is about, can anyone else make any sense out of it?

[spanner7853]

so they should especially now that 13 year olds are not immunised against it. Not where I live anyway

[smudge]

I agree Lofty - apart from boys & men, I've also seen teenage girls spitting on the streets too - absolutely disgusting habit by anyone - immigrants or not!

Anyway, although this would be a good idea, it might be closing the stable door after the horse has bolted - in some cases!

[rojash]

Possibly, fender62, they test for TB because it's highly infectious. AIDS (or rather HIV) is not.

[anotheoldgit]

Aids not highly infectious? rojash where have you got this wrong information from?

Why is it so widespread across most of Africa?

[Gromit]

anotheoldgit, fender62

I could go into graphic detail about how HIV is usually transmitted but it might be simpler to just to inform you both that you can get TB by shaking someones hand, but this is not how HIV is spread.

[rojash]

anotheoldgit, I suggest you check your dictionary fro the difference between infectious and contagious.

[anotheoldgit]

Infectious in�fec�tious (ĭn-fĕk'shəs)
adj.
Capable of causing infection.
Caused by or capable of being transmitted by infection.
Caused by a pathogenic microorganism or agent.
Easily or readily communicated: an infectious laugh.
infectiously in�fec'tious�ly adv.
infectiousness in�fec'tious�ness n.

con�ta�gious (kən-tā'jəs)
adj.
Of or relating to contagion.
Transmissible by direct or indirect contact; communicable: a contagious disease.
Capable of transmitting disease; carrying a disease: stayed at home until he was no longer contagious.
Spreading or tending to spread from one to another; infectious: a contagious smile.
contagiously con�ta'gious�ly adv.
contagiousness con�ta'gious�ness n.

You were saying rojash?

Gromit I don't get your point, enough to say that you get HIV through mixing bodily fluids with someone who is infected with HIV.

[rojash]

"There is often confusion between infectious and contagious: an infectious disease is spread through the air, while a contagious disease is spread by touch, although when used figuratively, of laughter for example, they mean the same thing."

http://www.allwords.com/word-infectious,%20con tagious.html

The point is, you can get TB from being in the same room or vehicle as a sufferer. Whilst being in the same room is also a prerequisite for catching HIV, I'm sure I don't need to tell you that certain other actions are also required.