TB updates

So I talked to my doctor today, and my assumption that I would just have a chest x-ray and be done with the whole "tuberculosis" thing was completely and utterly false. Apparently I'm going to have to have a 6-9 month antibiotic therapy treatment paired with routine liver panels. Party. And to top it off, during the 6+ months of therapy, I can't drink alcohol. I'm not a lush by any stretch of the imagination, but I do enjoy a glass of wine every so often. It just seems like a low blow. Maybe it's just me. Honestly, I really just don't need one more thing to deal with right now, but it is what it is. The doctor thinks I either got it from working at the After Hours Clinic or riding the city bus, I'll never know either way. Basically I have the bacteria in my lungs, but since I'm a healthy person without a suppressed immune system, my body is not letting it develop. However, if I don't have the antibiotic therapy it will live in my lungs forever and could develop if my immune system was ever suppressed. So Peace Corps or not, I really have to do the stupid therapy. The doctor sent a referral to a specialist today, so I will hopefully be able to start therapy soon.
I spoke to a person in the medical department at the Washington DC office. I was concerned that our applications would be held until I'm done with therapy, in which case we wouldn't leave for at least six months later than scheduled currently. The woman in the office said our applications should still be able to move forward as planned, and as long as I didn't have active TB, could demonstrate that I was seeking treatment, and that my therapy didn't last longer than normal, it should be fine.
Wish us luck.

Here's a little question and answer thing I found online, so hopefully it will answer any lingering questions.



If I have a positive PPD test, do I have tuberculosis?
Usually not. A person can be infected with the bacteria that causes tuberculosis but not actually have active tuberculosis. Many people are infected with the bacteria that causes tuberculosis, but only a few of these people (about 10%) go on to develop active TB.

Healthy people who get infected with the tuberculosis bacteria are often able to fight off the infection and do not develop active TB. The bacteria is dormant (inactive) in their lungs. If the body is not able to contain the infection and the bacteria continues to grow, active tuberculosis develops.

If I do not have active TB, how will my doctor treat my tuberculosis infection?
To be sure that you remain healthy, your doctor may recommend that you take an antibiotic for 6 to 9 months to kill the tuberculosis infection. If you don't take the medicine, the bacteria will remain in your lungs, and you will always be in danger of developing active tuberculosis. The medicine used to treat tuberculosis infection is isoniazid (say: eye-so-nye-ah-zid), which is also called INH. You need to take 1 pill every day for at least 6 months. If you don’t take all your medicine, the tuberculosis may come back.

It is very important that you take the medicine every day. Keep your medicine in a place where you will always see it. Take it at the same time every day. It may help to write yourself a note or set a daily alarm to remind you to take it. Ask your doctor what to do if you forget to take a pill.

People who take INH may have side effects, but these usually do not happen very often. Side effects include a skin rash, an upset stomach or liver disease. Ask your doctor about other possible side effects.

Don't drink alcohol or take acetaminophen (one brand name: Tylenol) while taking INH because this can damage your liver. Always check with your doctor before you take any other medicine because some drugs interact with INH and can cause side effects.

Your doctor may want to monitor you every month. For example you may need to visit your doctor to get another prescription of the medicine you are taking and to monitor any side effects or problems you are experiencing from the medicine. If you are feeling well, your doctor will give you a prescription for the next month.