Friend of Ours

I got another question from one of my dear, dear readers.

Dear Moody but TB Infected,
I couldn't help but notice the picture you have on your blog. Is that what a positive TB test looks like? Thanks.
Signed,
A Friend of the Tubies,

That is a really great question Friend of the Tubies (much appreciated by the way). That indeed IS a picture of a positive TB test, also known as a PPD (purified protein derivative) test. To test somone for TB exposure, a small area under the top layer of the skin, typically on the forearm, is injected with the PPD strain. Once injected, the site should be examined by a health care professional within the next 48-72 hours. Depending on the results of the test will determine if someone has been exposed to TB.

Below is an example of a positive TB test:

My TB test result looked pretty similar to this one and lasted 3 or 4 weeks. When I USED to test negative to TB exposure, there wouldn't really be any redness, and if there was any, it would go away with in a couple days.

Below is another postive TB test:

Bummer. That's a positive alright.

Let's look at those not exposed, below.

Lucky dog. They got away THIS year from the TB.

POP QUIZ: answers provided at the end of the post.
Positive or Negative TB test?
A.


Positive or Negative TB Test?
B.


Who studied and who DIDN'T?

TB tests are typically to test individuals at high risk of being exposed. They are not really meant for everyone. I guess on the bright side of being exposed, I am in a special, selective group of people.

The way someone's body responds to TB exposure depends a lot on their immune system. So people with a weaken immune response, such as those with HIV or AIDS, are in a group that should be tested. Also, people who live in confined living conditions, like schools or nursing homes, should also be tested annually. Healthcare workers (that's me) and other occupations that will expose people to individuals with active TB, are also at risk and are/should be tested regularly. There is also a population of people who are from or have lived in foreign countries where TB is common, who should be careful of developing active TB.

Thanks again for the question Friend of the Tubies. A friend of us is a friend of mine.

Day 17 pill has been taken and I am feeling good today.


Answers to quiz: A. positive, B. negative

Imagines from:
http://www.healthyinfo.com/clinical/tb/tb.18mm.jpg,
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/08/01/health/adam/3037.jpg,
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEr5Z0yGOTgcUU7hK33dZJQLOf02TnlJFWbluLZ_Pr06yhUZfCzp5OCPokGH-qRq_0kUi5_ZecbfWyHt4nCCo858LDnFFA1-GYsujpUuCwzbCNR98gwXZkS_StbJhD-aSYd2CXJFu5Hxo/s320/mantoux.jpg,
http://gabbiana.blogspot.com/2006_10_01_archive.html

The Results are In...

A few weeks ago I had to undergo a routine Tuberculosis (TB) test. I figured the results would be no different than the other 2 I had had throughout my time working at the hospital (Are you sensing foreshadowing?). After the standard 48 hours post-inoculation I went back to the NP and low and behold my PPD test is positive. Positive?! Really? All I could think was this is so lame. Than again, I DO work in a hospital, with more than a healthy dose of sick patients from all over the place. Frankly, I am surprised my PPD test didn't come out positive within my first year working at the hospital. But whatev.  In order to verify this, though, I had to have a chest x-ray to have my lungs checked to see if I actually had been exposed to TB and how severe the exposure was. Before you start to panic of me having TB and spreading it to the masses, as it is highly contagious, turns out I have latent TB, an inactive form of TB that is not contagious. 

There is a stat that states that 10% of people with latent TB can develop active TB, which can be spread to others through coughing, talking, and even laughing. Okay? So do I just wait for this to happen while the latent TB stews in my lungs?

 Fear not! There is hope for people like myself. There is a preventative treatment called Isoniazid (INH), that can be taken orally for a suggested 9 month period. Unfortunately though, treatment is not as easy as it sounds. INH can be toxic to the liver, so very very little to no drinking while on the treatment plan. In all honesty, life could be worse.  

It was suggested to me that I start this blog to document my trials and tribulations while on this 9 month health adventure. I also thought this would be a good soapbox to educate the people on TB. I have learned more about this infection than I ever would have thought. For example...TB didn't die off when the American Settlers did. Go figure. It is alive and breeding all over the city I reside in, obviously. Gross. 

So onward we will go with the preventative process.