After my 2nd TURBT I am scheduled to start 6 weeks of BCG. My uro's nurse told me that when I go home, I have to wash the toilet with bleach every time I use it for a day, due to BCG being the TB virus. I thought I had read that BCG is altered so as not to be infectious. Any experience on this? Thanks in advance!
David
David, BCG is an altered virus but there still is a small possibility of TB infection. Dumping in 2 cups of bleach into the toilet after peeing and then flushing is supposed to kill any live virus. My mom did this for 6-7 hrs after each treatment.
Keep your immune system strong before/during/after treatments as BCG continues to "do its thing" for months after treatment.
Also, read about BCG + interferon. There's several posts on this site about it. You should be able to do a search for 'interferon'.
My best wishes are with you!
David, BCG is a live bacteria called Bacillus Calmette-Guerin. It a living vaccine for tuberculosis found to have cancer fighting properties. When placed in the bladder it attracts white blood cells that multipy, make cancer-killing molecules, and attack cancer cells. It is a immune therapy.
Because it is a living bacterial vaccine, we take precautions like washing ourselves with soap and water after urinating and washing our hands. I was advised to place 2 cups of chlorox in the toilet for 20 minutes before flushing for the duration of 6 hours.
David, I forgot to tell you that a good resourse is Donald Lamm, M. D who specializes in blaader cancer and has good information on his web site. My urologist follows Dr. Lamm's protocol. Verne
Thank you both for your replies and the excellent information.
I just read an article on the BCAN (this network) that BCG is a cow tuberculosis bacillus, related to tuberculosis. Lahey Clinic requests that patients sit while voiding, use a lot of toilet paper to make sure no drops come out while standing up and getting dressed (that was a verbal request), and pour 2 cups (1 cup in printed material, but 2 cups in verbal instructions) of chlorine bleach into the bowl and let it sit for at least 15 minutes before flushing. I guess an extra precaution might be to clean the toilet (and seat?) after flushing. I was also told to wait at least three days before having sexual contact, just in case--and that it is expected that the BCG is gone by the second day.
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