Tuberculosis(TB)

[PinkPalace]

Has anyone ever had a postitive Mantoux test?
Have you been put on treatment?

I had the test done again (last time was 10 years ago - had a minor reaction <2mm).
Chest xray clear

Had another test 4 weeks ago - 2mm reaction
Repeat test yesterday - 10mm reaction

so booking in for a chest xray again.

wondering if anyone else had this and what happened with treatment etc?

thanks

[Karina]

I hope everything is ok for you!

I was going to have my mantoux test in May this year but then the chest clinic called me and told me I didnt have to because they now only test you if you were born in or lived somewhere that has a high TB incidence. However, I'm sure there are places in Australia where people still get TB.

Anyway, before they told me all that I did ask and I got the impression that you need a repeat test (which it sounds like you have had already) and if needed you might have to have a chest x-ray. Depending on what they see on the xray you might then need to give them a sputum sample and they test it, and then go from there. They wouldnt treat you for TB unless you actually have TB.

[PinkPalace]

I think they are going for the chest xray as i have been exposed to TB in the past.
and after 2 positive mantoux tests i guess it is the next precaution

i guess i see next week after the xray what happens

thanks

[CeCe]

I had a huge reaction to the mantoux test back in 1999 (ish), so much so, I have been told never to have one again as it would be too sore.

I did undergo the 6month course of treatment offered after considering all the options. I do recall there were stipulations about not getting pregnant on the medication and not drinking.

Please let me know if you want further information and I'll see what I can dig up in my records.

[AnyDream]

I had a friend - worked as a nurse at the Royal Darwin Hospital - who came up heavily positive for TB...she took several months worth of antibiotics etc and hasn't had any problems since.

Yes TB is still in circulation in the population - especially out in some of the aboriginal communities where the general standard of health/access to health care is appallingly low. PPl who have travelled in Asia or who spend a lot of time with ppl who have travelled in Asia can also be susceptible as there are higher levels of TB prevalence there too. Hence a higher TB rate in the NT too.

[PinkPalace]

Ok so sounds like if the cxr shows up positive it may be preventative AB's for months!
yawn... its like i just finished either being pregnant or breastfeeding for the last 3 years and now i cant have a glass of wine because of ab's pmsl!

that'd be right!!

i guess next week with tell

[mrsmac]

I had a friend - worked as a nurse at the Royal Darwin Hospital - who came up heavily positive for TB...she took several months worth of antibiotics etc and hasn't had any problems since.

Yes TB is still in circulation in the population - especially out in some of the aboriginal communities where the general standard of health/access to health care is appallingly low. PPl who have travelled in Asia or who spend a lot of time with ppl who have travelled in Asia can also be susceptible as there are higher levels of TB prevalence there too. Hence a higher TB rate in the NT too.

My SIL worked in infectious diseases at Royal Darwin and she said there was a lot of TB up there, she used to freak out when she saw her TB patients at the shops with no mask on LOL
Hope it all works out OK and you still get a drink!

[CeCe]

It was in the NT were I had my contact and test. I was in community health services, so I was probably exposed to all sorts of things.

[PinkPalace]

thanks girls.
I am in a similar situation - where i have treated isolated TB patients.
SO i guess it is all just catching up with me!

[Rumpleteaser]

I got a postive mantoux test back in the late 90s while getting my immunisations for nursing. I was required to get a CXR which was clear. Since then I had another mantoux test, also positive and another CXR after moving to NSW and working over there. Returned to WA, another CXR, should not get anymore mantoux test as the reaction will continue getting bigger. Have been told to watch out for developing symptoms as TB can lie dormant for years. Never needed to be treated, never needed the immunisation, it leaves a nasty scar.

[Karina]

I was talking to the nurse in the chest clinic where they do the mantoux and hand out the TB medication.. She told me they ususally wouldnt give you antibiotics unless you really needed them. They dont want you to build resistance to them for future. I'm pretty sure you need like 5 or so different antibiotics and it lasts like 2 or 3 months, so its pretty full on.

[PinkPalace]

thanks girls.
i prefer not to have the immunisation or tablets.

It was 4 years when i had direct contact with TB so the fact i havent had a flare up is good in this time - but you never know who in the public has TB, all it takes is one cough!

[Mother Goose]

it's also important to consider your recent health. if you've had a viral condition in the previous 14 days to the test, you culd get a false positive. I was suppose to have the test done about a month ago and couldn't because I'd had viral laryngitis... and then I got the flu and was put on tamiflu... because tamiflu stays in the system for 6 weeks, I still can't have the test done. Will get it eventually.

TB is huge in certain areas. We do brochoscopies weekly for suspected patients at work. Treatment depends on various things including type, location, symptoms etc.

HTH and hope you don't need treatment.

MG