Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis that usually attack the lungs. But, people with the latent TB infection cannot spread TB to others. However, some people with latent TB infection can develop active TB disease.
(Your concern is valid, however, regarding her being possibly contagious, as TB is spread through the air from one person to another. "The bacteria are put into the air when a person with active TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs or sneezes. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected".
You mentioned that she took some antibiotics, and if she does indeed have the latent TB infection as her doctor diagnosed from the chest x-ray, this can help prevent the TB infection from developing into TB disease, according to the CDC.
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Whenever there is a question regarding communicable diseases, I consult the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) website.
According to the CDC Questions and Answers about TB, 2007, there is a latent TB infection and active TB disease.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis that usually attack the lungs. But, people with the latent TB infection cannot spread TB to others. However, some people with latent TB infection can develop active TB disease.
(Your concern is valid, however, regarding her being possibly contagious, as TB is spread through the air from one person to another. "The bacteria are put into the air when a person with active TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs or sneezes. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected".
You mentioned that she took some antibiotics, and if she does indeed have the latent TB infection as her doctor diagnosed from the chest x-ray, this can help prevent the TB infection from developing into TB disease, according to the CDC.
Here is some more information from the CDC regarding the TB skin test and blood test that you asked about:
http://www.cdc.gov/tb/faqs/qa_latenttbinf.htm#Latent1
I would be interested in hearing about what her specialist says about her specific condition!
August 3, 2008 - 1:40pmThis Comment
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