TB Test positive?!
Question: TB Test positive!?
I got a tb test a week ago and 3 days later went to get it checked, i was referred from dr's office to dr's office!. they said they didnt know if it was positive or not!. so they told me to come back in 3 months for another test!. but the bumb is still inflammed and still looks positive!.
The thing is i have some kind of cough that wont go away and it is hard to breathe!. I dont know what to do!. i went to the dr and they said that it was athsema but i think it is tb!. And that dr didnt know about the tb test because i forgot to mention it!. what to do!.!.!.!.what to do!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
The thing is i have some kind of cough that wont go away and it is hard to breathe!. I dont know what to do!. i went to the dr and they said that it was athsema but i think it is tb!. And that dr didnt know about the tb test because i forgot to mention it!. what to do!.!.!.!.what to do!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
A positive Tb skin test is an induration or hard red lump larger than 5 mm in size!. If the area is just red with out a lump the skin test is suppose to be repeated in 2 weeks or a chest x-ray taken!. The 'GOLD' standard in the respiratory industry is a simple blood draw called a Quantiferon Assay Study!. It takes about 5 days to get the results back but is conclusive in the results as to whether you have active TB or not!. This will tell you if the cough you have is related to TB or if you need to be tested for asthma via a full pulmonary function test!. If the quantiferon test comes back negative and the PFT if positive you can easily manage asthma with daily inhalers and avoidance therapy!. Please feel free to e-mail me once you have your test results and I would be happy to help you with any other questions you have!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Since your doctors didn't diagnose TB with the TB test, I am guessing you got an equivocal (inconclusive) result!.
The mere presence or absence of signs of inflammation does not constitute a positive TB test but it is how much spread (in terms of circular diameter) is the redness & other signs of inflammation that determines the outcome of the test!.
I think you are being worried unnecessarily; it just could be allergic cough which takes at least 10-14 days to completely go away!.
Go and see your last Doctor again and show him the results and take his advice about chest X-ray or any other confirmatory test!.
Oh one more thing, other important symptoms of TB-
1!. Moderate loss of weight
2!. Significant loss of appetite
3!. History of contact with + caseWww@Answer-Health@Com
The mere presence or absence of signs of inflammation does not constitute a positive TB test but it is how much spread (in terms of circular diameter) is the redness & other signs of inflammation that determines the outcome of the test!.
I think you are being worried unnecessarily; it just could be allergic cough which takes at least 10-14 days to completely go away!.
Go and see your last Doctor again and show him the results and take his advice about chest X-ray or any other confirmatory test!.
Oh one more thing, other important symptoms of TB-
1!. Moderate loss of weight
2!. Significant loss of appetite
3!. History of contact with + caseWww@Answer-Health@Com
My sister-in-law's dad gave there whole family TB from living with them!. My famliy was tested but we were lucky!!! If your really worried you could go to your county health department!. That is who handles that kind of stuff around here!. So, maybe they can help you one way or another!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
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Tuberculosis (TB) - Topic OverviewProvided by:
100% of users found this article helpful!.Topic Overview
What is tuberculosis!?
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that is most often found in the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can spread to other parts of the body (extrapulmonary TB)!. TB in the lungs is easily spread to other people through coughing or laughing!. Treatment is often successful, though the process is long!. Treatment time averages between 6 and 9 months!.
Related Articles
Tuberculosis (TB) - Treatment Overview
Tuberculosis (TB) - What Happens
? More overview Articles
Tuberculosis is either latent (dormant) or active!.
Latent TB means that you have the TB-causing bacteria in your body, but you cannot spread the disease to others!. However, you can still develop active TB!.
Active TB means the infection is spreading in your body and, if your lungs are infected, you can spread the disease to others!.
What causes tuberculosis!?
Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, slow-growing bacteria that thrive in areas of the body that are rich in blood and oxygen, such as the lungs!.
What are the symptoms!?
If you have latent TB, you will not have symptoms unless the disease becomes active!. Most people don't know that they have latent TB!.
Symptoms of active TB may include:
Ongoing cough that brings up thick, cloudy, and sometimes bloody mucus from the lungs (sputum)!.
Fatigue and weight loss!.
Night sweats and fever!.
Rapid heartbeat!.
Swelling in the neck (when lymph nodes in the neck are infected)!.
Shortness of breath and chest pain (in rare cases)!.
Sometimes, when you are first infected, the disease is so mild you don't know you have it!. This is also true for people with latent TB because they have no symptoms!.
How is TB spread to others!?
People who have a latent TB infection cannot spread the disease!.
TB in the lungs (pulmonary TB) is contagious!. It spreads when a person who has active disease exhales air that contains TB-causing bacteria and another person inhales the bacteria from the air!.
TB in other areas outside of the lungs (extrapulmonary TB) cannot spread easily to others!.
How is TB diagnosed!?
Latent TB is usually found through a tuberculin skin test (also called a TB skin test, PPD test, or Mantoux test) or a blood test!. Active TB is diagnosed by finding the TB-causing bacteria in fluid from the lungs (sputum) or in samples from other parts of the body!. Doctors sometimes use a chest X-ray to help diagnose active TB!.
Extrapulmonary TB is diagnosed by a biopsy and culture, CT scan, or MRI!.
How is it treated!?
Doctors generally use a combination of four antibiotics to treat active TB, whether it occurs in the lungs or elsewhere!. Medications for active TB must be taken for at least 6 months!. Almost all people who take their medications as directed are cured!. If tests continue to show an active TB infection, treatment is extended for 8 to 9 months!.
One antibiotic taken for 9 months is the usual treatment for latent TB!. This prevents the infection from becoming active and reduces the risk of complications!.
If you miss doses of medication or you stop treatment too soon, your treatment may go on longer or you may have to start over!. This can also cause the infection to get worse or lead to antibiotic-resistant infections that are much harder to treat!.
A health professional may have to watch you take your medications!. This may mean daily visits to a doctor's office or public health facility!. Or the health professional may come to your home or workplace!. A cure for TB requires you to take all doses of the antibiotics!. Direct observational treatment ensures that people follow medication instructions, which is helpful because of the long treatment course for TB!. Cure rates for TB have greatly improved because of this treatment practice!.
If active TB is not treated, it can damage the lungs or other organs and can possibly cause death!.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learning about tuberculosis (TB):
What is tuberculosis!?
What is latent TB!?
What is active TB!?
What is extrapulmonary TB!?
What causes tuberculosis!?
What are the symptoms of TB!?
How is TB spread to others!?
When should I call a doctor!?
Can a test detect TB early!?
Being diagnosed:
How is active TB diagnosed!?
How is latent TB diagnosed!?
Getting treatment:
How is latent TB treated!?
How is active TB treated!?
What medications are used to treat TB!?
When is surgery used to treat TB!?
Ongoing concerns:
What can I do so that I don't get TB!?
How can the spread of TB be prevented!?
What are the complications of TB!?
Living with tuberculosis:
What do I need to do if I have TB!?
Author: Maria G!. Essig, MS, ELS Medical Review:E!. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Alfred A!. Lardizabal, MD - Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine/Tuberculosis
Last Updated: 05/16/2007
? 1995-2007, Healthwise, Incorporated, P!.O!. Box 1989, Boise, ID 83701!. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED!.
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor!. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information!. For more information, click here!. Privacy Policy!. How this information was developed!.
Additional Information
Tuberculosis (TB) - MedicationsTuberculosis (TB) - Exams and Tests
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Tuberculosis
They will usually have a positive skin test and may develop active TB if not treated!. !.!.!. the skin test for TB done are those who have had positive results in !.!.!.
health!.rutgers!.edu/Immunizations/TB!.ht!.!.!. - 59k - CachedWww@Answer-Health@Com
Site Map
Tuberculosis (TB) - Topic OverviewProvided by:
100% of users found this article helpful!.Topic Overview
What is tuberculosis!?
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that is most often found in the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can spread to other parts of the body (extrapulmonary TB)!. TB in the lungs is easily spread to other people through coughing or laughing!. Treatment is often successful, though the process is long!. Treatment time averages between 6 and 9 months!.
Related Articles
Tuberculosis (TB) - Treatment Overview
Tuberculosis (TB) - What Happens
? More overview Articles
Tuberculosis is either latent (dormant) or active!.
Latent TB means that you have the TB-causing bacteria in your body, but you cannot spread the disease to others!. However, you can still develop active TB!.
Active TB means the infection is spreading in your body and, if your lungs are infected, you can spread the disease to others!.
What causes tuberculosis!?
Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, slow-growing bacteria that thrive in areas of the body that are rich in blood and oxygen, such as the lungs!.
What are the symptoms!?
If you have latent TB, you will not have symptoms unless the disease becomes active!. Most people don't know that they have latent TB!.
Symptoms of active TB may include:
Ongoing cough that brings up thick, cloudy, and sometimes bloody mucus from the lungs (sputum)!.
Fatigue and weight loss!.
Night sweats and fever!.
Rapid heartbeat!.
Swelling in the neck (when lymph nodes in the neck are infected)!.
Shortness of breath and chest pain (in rare cases)!.
Sometimes, when you are first infected, the disease is so mild you don't know you have it!. This is also true for people with latent TB because they have no symptoms!.
How is TB spread to others!?
People who have a latent TB infection cannot spread the disease!.
TB in the lungs (pulmonary TB) is contagious!. It spreads when a person who has active disease exhales air that contains TB-causing bacteria and another person inhales the bacteria from the air!.
TB in other areas outside of the lungs (extrapulmonary TB) cannot spread easily to others!.
How is TB diagnosed!?
Latent TB is usually found through a tuberculin skin test (also called a TB skin test, PPD test, or Mantoux test) or a blood test!. Active TB is diagnosed by finding the TB-causing bacteria in fluid from the lungs (sputum) or in samples from other parts of the body!. Doctors sometimes use a chest X-ray to help diagnose active TB!.
Extrapulmonary TB is diagnosed by a biopsy and culture, CT scan, or MRI!.
How is it treated!?
Doctors generally use a combination of four antibiotics to treat active TB, whether it occurs in the lungs or elsewhere!. Medications for active TB must be taken for at least 6 months!. Almost all people who take their medications as directed are cured!. If tests continue to show an active TB infection, treatment is extended for 8 to 9 months!.
One antibiotic taken for 9 months is the usual treatment for latent TB!. This prevents the infection from becoming active and reduces the risk of complications!.
If you miss doses of medication or you stop treatment too soon, your treatment may go on longer or you may have to start over!. This can also cause the infection to get worse or lead to antibiotic-resistant infections that are much harder to treat!.
A health professional may have to watch you take your medications!. This may mean daily visits to a doctor's office or public health facility!. Or the health professional may come to your home or workplace!. A cure for TB requires you to take all doses of the antibiotics!. Direct observational treatment ensures that people follow medication instructions, which is helpful because of the long treatment course for TB!. Cure rates for TB have greatly improved because of this treatment practice!.
If active TB is not treated, it can damage the lungs or other organs and can possibly cause death!.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learning about tuberculosis (TB):
What is tuberculosis!?
What is latent TB!?
What is active TB!?
What is extrapulmonary TB!?
What causes tuberculosis!?
What are the symptoms of TB!?
How is TB spread to others!?
When should I call a doctor!?
Can a test detect TB early!?
Being diagnosed:
How is active TB diagnosed!?
How is latent TB diagnosed!?
Getting treatment:
How is latent TB treated!?
How is active TB treated!?
What medications are used to treat TB!?
When is surgery used to treat TB!?
Ongoing concerns:
What can I do so that I don't get TB!?
How can the spread of TB be prevented!?
What are the complications of TB!?
Living with tuberculosis:
What do I need to do if I have TB!?
Author: Maria G!. Essig, MS, ELS Medical Review:E!. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Alfred A!. Lardizabal, MD - Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine/Tuberculosis
Last Updated: 05/16/2007
? 1995-2007, Healthwise, Incorporated, P!.O!. Box 1989, Boise, ID 83701!. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED!.
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor!. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information!. For more information, click here!. Privacy Policy!. How this information was developed!.
Additional Information
Tuberculosis (TB) - MedicationsTuberculosis (TB) - Exams and Tests
Was this article helpful!?
Tell us what you think!.
You rated this article
You rated thumbs up
Email this Article Print this Article IM this Article
Syndication:
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Tuberculosis
They will usually have a positive skin test and may develop active TB if not treated!. !.!.!. the skin test for TB done are those who have had positive results in !.!.!.
health!.rutgers!.edu/Immunizations/TB!.ht!.!.!. - 59k - CachedWww@Answer-Health@Com