Dr. Keith Roach To Your Good Health
SaturdayNov23,2019at2:01AM
Dear Dr. Roach: In 2006, I was working at a long-term-health care center, and we had annual tuberculosis screenings. That year, I tested positive and was prescribed six months of isoniazid. I was told by my doctor at the time to get a chest X-ray every three years and not to participate in any future TB screenings.
Dear Dr. Roach: In 2006, I was working at a long-term-health care center, and we had annual tuberculosis screenings. That year, I tested positive and was prescribed six months of isoniazid. I was told by my doctor at the time to get a chest X-ray every three years and not to participate in any future TB screenings.
In 2007 I moved and have not worked in health care since. I'm getting conflicting information from new doctors on whether I need chest X-rays at any point. Overall, I am in good health. What is my appropriate follow-up? S.B.
Answer: The expert consensus is that as long as you feel well, you do not need any further screening tests. However, you are still at risk for developing active tuberculosis despite having been treated with the isoniazid.
Symptoms include cough, fever and weight loss. Any of these symptoms, if unexplained by something like a cold, should prompt you to see your doctor and you should ask about getting a chest X-ray. Fortunately, the risk of developing tuberculosis is very low now, perhaps 1% or 2% in your lifetime.
Different health care systems have their own rules about screening a person with a positive skin test for tuberculosis after treatment. However, studies have shown that regular chest X-rays are almost completely useless in a person with no symptoms.
Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu or send mail to 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.
Continued here:
DR. ROACH | TB symptoms include cough, fever and weight loss - St. Augustine Record
