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Question: Questions about tb
| davey2
- Mon Jan 08, 2007 4:49 am |
As a child I was diagnosed with brochitis and Asthma. Around 10 years ago I got a bad flu. And for the first time I noticed a very small amount of blood in my phlegm. This startled me and so I went to see a doctor who prescibed me Antibiotics which helped. A few years later I caught another flu and had the same symptoms as before. This time I saw a different doctor who recommended that take a TB skin test to make sure that it was not TB. The test result was negative. (I've taken 3 skin which all came back negative).
Ever since then, whenever I get cold or flu I automatically assume that I have TB. I have done alot research on TB and never had symptom of this disease, such as night sweats, Coughing blood, etc. On all the reseach I have done on TB I cannot find any information on the progression of its symptoms.
Hopefully you can help ease my mind by explaining the symptoms and how it consumes the human body. Also, can active TB go away on its on without taking any medication?
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| Dr. Chan Lowe
- Mon Jan 08, 2007 12:17 pm |
 Tuberculosis used to be quite common, but now it is becoming less so. It is generally not a big concern unless you are in an area where there is still a lot of TB around. For example, our southwestern states still see TB occasionally as it is still quite prevalent in the climates of Mexico. Other possible exposure places include hospitals, prisons, and really anywhere that close contact with lots of sick people is possible.
Symptoms of Tuberculosis include Coughing, Coughing up blood, night sweats, and fatigue. Many of the symptoms are fairly nonspecific.
The currently accepted way to screen for TB is via a ppd skin test. If one has a positive ppd test, the next step would be to check a chest x-ray (CXR) to see if there is active disease. Generally if there is a conversion from a negative test to a positive test and the CXR is normal, one would be treated with medication presuming they have innactive disease in hopes of keeping it from becoming active.
If you had a negative ppd, there is very little to worry about. There are rarely cases where people will not react to the skin test. These people are not known at first, so if there is significant concern for TB there are some other diagnostic tests that can be used.
If one has active TB, it can occasionally become dormant without treatment, but almost always the ppd test will still be positive.
I would recommend you talk with your doctor regarding your concerns. This way you can be evaluated directly and your doctor can give you a very solid assessment of your risks of TB. Although, from what you describe I think it's unlikely.
Hope this helps.
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| davey2
- Tue Jan 09, 2007 3:33 am |
Thanks for you quick response and useful information. I read somewhere that skin tests were about 75% accurate which is the reason that caused to me worry.
| Quote: | | I would recommend you talk with your doctor regarding your concerns. This way you can be evaluated directly and your doctor can give you a very solid assessment of your risks of TB. Although, from what you describe I think it's unlikely. |
Despite me not having any symptoms, I went to see a doctor about a month ago. He told me that all my vital signs were normal and that my lungs were clear. He assured me that I did not have TB. However, I did not ask enough questions to ease my worries. Thank you.
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