Past scar in lung due to primary complex as a child but passed med exam without sputum test

[supraboostsd 0]

I have been doing a lot of research about scars in lungs and the 3 day sputum test and 2 month delay... Are there any cases where they did see a scar/scars and the Dr. decided it was due to primary complex and that the scar has been there ever since childhood that they would approve the medical examination without the sputum test? My fiance are in this situation right now... I told her that I have just received the NVC case number and asked her questions pertaining to her medical history and she told me about her lung scar due to primary complex as a child but told me she is negative for TB. I did some research on this here (VJ) and was disappointed as to how many couples have been through this same ordeal. I told her to get another x-ray done with a medical certificate so SLEC can compare iy with their findings and she did so yesterday. Would it also be beneficial to have a TB test also done with a medical certificate to prove that she does not have active TB? Would SLEC even consider this? We want to totally avoid the sputum test and the 2 month delay if possible. Fellow VJer's who have had experience in this area please chime in. Thanks.

[Lexlee08 18]

Hi Supraboostsd,

Welcome to VJ, my dad had the same problem. He had TB when he was a teen-ager got treated and has been TB-free since then, SLEC found a scar in his x-ray and he had to undergo the 3-day sputum test and we have to wait 'til June 22 to find out what the result of the sputum culture is. His sputum tests are all negative. He had an x-ray done in September 2010 by a pulmunologist from our province and SLEC told him to bring it over so they can compare with what they took. I don't think there is a way around it, the only medical certificate that they honored was from my parents' internal medicine doctor stating that their diabetes is under control.

I know it's very frustrating but I guess it's the US embassy rule that SLEC has to implement. I hope this information helps.

[Tahoma 2,291]

I have been doing a lot of research about scars in lungs and the 3 day sputum test and 2 month delay... Are there any cases where they did see a scar/scars and the Dr. decided it was due to primary complex and that the scar has been there ever since childhood that they would approve the medical examination without the sputum test? My fiance are in this situation right now... I told her that I have just received the NVC case number and asked her questions pertaining to her medical history and she told me about her lung scar due to primary complex as a child but told me she is negative for TB. I did some research on this here (VJ) and was disappointed as to how many couples have been through this same ordeal. I told her to get another x-ray done with a medical certificate so SLEC can compare iy with their findings and she did so yesterday. Would it also be beneficial to have a TB test also done with a medical certificate to prove that she does not have active TB? Would SLEC even consider this? We want to totally avoid the sputum test and the 2 month delay if possible. Fellow VJer's who have had experience in this area please chime in. Thanks.

I think it's a good idea for your fiancée to take her latest x-ray with her to her medical at St. Lukes where they can compare it to their x-ray. I also think it's a good idea for her to take a copy of her medical history pertaining to her TB with her to St. Lukes.

However, I doubt that having a private TB test would do any good. First of all, the TB test would take a lot of time since it would need to be a two-month culture in order to be accurate. Secondly, St. Lukes probably wouldn't honor the test anyway. They seem to do what they are going to do. They will certainly give her an x-ray. In all likelihood, they will perform the two-month culture if they find any irregularities in her chest x-ray.

One thing she could do to speed things up is to complete her medical at the earliest possible time, in case she has to undergo the TB culture. That way, she will get done sooner. She can go for her medical as soon as you email her your NOA2 and give her your MNL case number. It's not necessary to have an interview appointment in order to complete the medical.

Good luck.

[supraboostsd 0]

My fiance just called me... We just passed the medical examination! She is now going to take her immunization shots. Thank you lord, we owe everything to you!

[Tahoma 2,291]

Congratz!!!

That's a big step in your visa journey.

[ShannonCraigy 0]

Congratulations. Im happy for you! Please pray for me that i won't undergo sputum test. Thank you!

[Tahoma 2,291]

^^^ Good luck to you!

[tedskie 0]

congratz!!i have the same problem and im kinda anxious right now. . .is there anyway you could share to us what happened during her medical examination

[TBoneTX 43,021]

Zombie thread transferred from Embassy/Consulate forum to Philippines forum and reported for closure -- OP hasn't logged on to VJ in 18 months. ***