How is TB spread? And how easily?

[Deja Q]

[TZ]

1. airborne...coughing primarily

In open air...not very well...In confined spaces (like airplanes, trains etc) its more likely to spread. But not quite as much as say the flu.
Are you asking for a specific reason?

[LaurenG]

2. what she said. nt

[Deja Q]

3. Only because I had that skin test taken and it returned a positive...

:wow:

[alarimer]

4. Hopefully it's just a false positive

I don't know how accurate those tests are.

[Deja Q]

5. Quite.

It's possible, but on the other hand - bubble or not - there are times and places that would be suspect.

[GCP]

7. Those tests are pretty accurate

It means you've got antibodies to TB in your system. You'll probably need to get a chest X-ray next just to make sure you're OK. Don't worry, I've been positive on the Mantoux for years, the chest X-ray has always been negative. Whenever I've started a new job (RN) I've had to show them my latest CXR.

[TZ]

8. The skin test gives a lot of false positive

How are you feeling? Okay? Xray will be the diagnostic. But if you aren't feeling poorly, don't worry. It might be you were exposed but not sick. That happens

[MonkeyFunk]

9. false positives aren't that uncommon

get tested again.

It's spread fairly easily if you're in close contact with someone with TB.

I hope it turns out to be a false alarm, but it's a good reminder to get your TB innoculation updated.

[GCP]

10. Do they innoculate for TB?

I always heard it wasn't done i this country. I had the BCG in the UK when I was a kid many years ago.

[MonkeyFunk]

15. Ya know, I think I was mistaken

It was the TEST for TB that I had to take before volunteering with AIDS patients, not the vaccine.


But... a quick google search shows there IS a new vaccine that's being tested here in the US.

[Deja Q]

12. Will do.

I did get the follow-up x-rays. Fortunately, the x-rays were clean. I've been prescribed the antibiotics, and all things being equal I'd still pin it as a false positive. Still, no chances...

:pals:

[MonkeyFunk]

16. Well, if the X-ray was clean

you're probably fine.

Did they give you the full course of TB antibiotics? Like the year-long course?

[Deja Q]

22. Yes.

I anticipated they would, just to be certain... so I'll be poppin' pills for a while... :)

[Critters2]

11. I wouldn't worry quite yet. Mine are ALWAYS positive.

So are my dad's. It seems we're allergic to the test. I tell them this every time I get a test. They still test, it still comes back positive. They panic. They order chest x-rays. The x-rays come back fine.

Until the next time...

[Deja Q]

13. I'll try not to, but you do know that worrying is one of my 3 favorite habits...

It could be an allergy reaction, yours is a good point too. Being allergic to things is one of my least 4 but inevitable habits...

:pals:

[Critters2]

14. I worry a lot, too. Because I'm good at it, and I feel that

if God gives one a skill, she has an obligation to use it!

[mitchum]

20. So are mine...

some weird genetic fluke on my mother's side of the family. A type of inert TB germ. Apparently, we can never contract it, but would possibly make great carriers during an epidemic.
Cough! Cough! Excuse me...:)

[Critters2]

24. Hmmm....maybe that's what it is with us, too.

Because it's on my dad's side. His sister, my sister, my cousins, we all test positive. But no doctor ever said it was a protective gene. Just that we're allergic to the testing chemical. Hmmm...now I'm curious.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

28. that may only be an indication that at sometime in your past you may have been in contact.......

with a carrier....it doesn't mean you have it now.

my sister test site tested positive too and she was scared shitless and went for further testing and she had nothing accept antibodies against it.

talk to your Dr.

[YDogg]

6. a small butter knife usually will suffice

it's quite malleable

[Xipe Totec]

17. Tahini Butter?

Oh yea, I love that!

[YDogg]

30. And jelly.

Yumm!

[SPKrazy]

18. Airborne droplets--

positive skin tests mean you've been exposed

x-rays for confirming actual TB vs. exposure to it.

Some false positives too.

Do you have symptoms: coughing, ill, really sick?

an x-ray will confirm whether you are active.

You may have to take meds if it is determined that you are in fact positive... especially if you are coughing and producing droplets

[mitchum]

19. Through poetry

[Critters2]

25. That's why I avoid that stuff and at all cost. nt

[mitchum]

26. It has to be transmitted that way...

look at all those consumptive poets

[EMdamascus]

21. Not all that virulent

My father had TB when I was in grade school, I used to be tested every 6 months for years. And with the newer antibiotics it is controlled well.

[intaglio]

23. TB skin test shows you have an immune response to TB

It might be that you were inoculated against TB in the past - perhaps as a child. If you have, great! you are probably immune!

If you have not been inoculated at some time in the past then it means you have been exposed to the TB bacillus (yes I know that TB stands for Tuberculum Bacillus, for all you nit pickers :D ) and that it is likely it is still present in your system. That said if you remain in good health it is not likely that you will develop full blown TB, but a weakness in the immune system will allow it to become more serious. Biggest problem is you might be infectious (see below)

TB can manifest in several forms the commonest being the lung disease (think Doc Holiday or Mimi from La Boheme) sometimes it can manifest in connective tissue (skin and bone).

GOOD NEWS it can be cured! bad news the cure is a bitch.

You may be asked to take a course of antibiotics; if you are YOU MUST FOLLOW THE ENTIRE ANTIBIOTIC REGIME FOR THE WHOLE COURSE OF MEDICATION. Do not try to get out of it, do not think it is too much trouble or even that you would be better off without the drugs - it is all or nothing. If you happen to suffer nausea your Doc should be able to help, if you find you are getting fungal infections then live yogurt made from pasteurised milk will help (eaten or applied to the affected area). You might need vitamin supplements (often B complex).

What happens if you don't follow a treatment plan
1) Obviously you will be vulnerable to the full blown disease (the full blown disease makes the antibiotic regime seem palatable in comparison)
2) Even if you do not develop the disease itself you could be infectious. That means that there is a chance of you infecting anyone you meet or spend time with. If those people are children, the elderly or HIV/AIDS then you are a threat to their life.

I hope this does not sound too gloomy but you must follow the doctors orders

[Generic Brad]

27. Posting on message boards

*cough* *cough* ahem.

[ashling]

29. Mack Truck

He'd be very easily spread all over the highway. Hopefully on the George Bush Turnpike . . . . oh, wrong TB, sorry. :shrug:
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