Does anyone know anything about TB?

[deb1]

My hubby was in Afghanistan for six months and returned home August. Today he called me and said that his TB test came back positive. He was told that the dr feels that he doesn’t have the active form of TB. He will need to go on a nine months treatment of antibiotics. Myself and our kids have to get tested and we are trying to arrange with the military to do that today instead of waiting until Monday.

Does anyone know about TB? He was told that he probably was exposed to TB in Afghanistan.

He wasn’t given much information, which is one of my over all gripes about the military medical system.

Do I need to tell people that he has tested positive? Should our friends get tested? He isn’t being sent home from work so I am very confused. I know nothing about this but I need to do research on my own.

 

[KCT]

When our son got to Navy boot camp, he was diagnosed with latent TB. He had been to Europe several times in the months and years leading up to enlisting, so we figure he might have picked it up there. Daughters and I were tested - all negative. Dh never got tested.

Our son had to take meds for about 9 mos. The medication can cause liver damage, and it’s recommended that they get blood tests for liver function periodically. They also recommentd NO alcohol while on the meds. Extra vitamins are also suggested - I think B vits, but don’t quote me on it.

This must be somewhat common, because when I asked a nurse friend about it, she said half her family has tested positive for latent TB. They take the meds and are fine.

Hope that helps and does not come across as medical advice! Just sharing our experience. —KCT

 

[Zelie_Louis]

Please direct your medical questions to a health care professional.