Scared and need advice

Protocol in U.S.--+PPD, negative CXR= offering of INH/B6 for 9 months! {end of story}

 

If your CXR turns out to be negative (let's hope), then you will be diagnosed with LTBI, which is nothing to be overly concerned about if you are a healthy individual and have a healthy immune system. It happens. Who knows how you contracted it? It doesn't matter.

You should, however, at your age, be treated for LTBI, with the appropriate prophylaxis. Even though your TB is currently inactive, there is a chance it could become active at some point, if you don't get prophylaxis. I think the gold standard treatment is 9 months of 300 mg INH, once daily, sometimes supplemented with B6, to address the possible peripheral neuropathy in some individuals. Furthermore, most academic programs, particularly healthcare-related, require that you treat it. I don't know how it works in Canada, but that's how we basically approach it in the States.

Don't sweat it. Take your docs recommendation; if it doesn't agree with you, get a second opinion, or seek an ID specialist. SDN is not the place to seek medical advice.

 

What part of Canada do you live in? If you say Toronto...you need only look at the huge immigrant population to find your source of TB exposure.

I was 22 when I had LTBI...it isn't a big deal, more than a billion people around the world have LTBI. Take your INH for 9 months...get a follow up Xray in a year or two and you are done. You will likely be forced to get Xrays from time to time, although it has been shown that this is not needed...if you ever start getting symptomatic...(which is highly unlikely as long as you are young healthy...do not have aids...etc)...they will put you on other meds.

PS 1/10 become active if they don't do the INH series.

 

Please do not solicit medical advice on the forums. Closing.