scared fiance failed medical xray problem

[bowens44 213]

I went to the Philippines to new with my fiancee for her medical and interview. there was a problem on her xray . now she does the sputum test. I'm concerned for her in case it's positive also concerned that if she has it I May go back and infect my family. She says as far as she knows noone in her family has had t b and she says she never had the symptoms. Are there many who end up being negative at 2 months? She's been crying and it is breaking my heart

[Greenbaum 12,258]

I went to the Philippines to new with my fiancee for her medical and interview. there was a problem on her xray . now she does the sputum test. I'm concerned for her in case it's positive also concerned that if she has it I May go back and infect my family. She says as far as she knows noone in her family has had t b and she says she never had the symptoms. Are there many who end up being negative at 2 months? She's been crying and it is breaking my heart

I'm sorry to hear your finance is facing some medical issues with her visa journey. TB is a real issue in the Philippines. The good thing is that it can be cured but not without committing 6 more months to her journey. Chances of you contracting TB for the short period of time you were there was minimal. TB is an airborne contaminate and the possibility of contacting it from her is through breathing air from her cough or sneeze or inhaling her breath. Kissing does not spread the disease.

No one can say with fact how many have contracted this disease or who are negative after 2 months. This is something you will need to follow up with SLEC and if positive to complete the process to cure her of the disease. Once she is cured (assuming that she does have TB) then she can continue the visa process.

Do a search, using the search engine found in the upper right hand corner of this page and you can read some history from others who have gone before you and you'll get a better handle on what you are facing. Good luck.

[Al422 221]

Nobody wants their visa delayed by 6 months. But TB will kill if left untreated and can be completely cured if treated. I am 100% sure you do not want your fiance with you in the US 6 months sooner if the price to pay is that she dies from a fatal disease. More important is that she be cured of this disease first. SLEC deals with TB all the time and is very good at curing it. So let them do what they have to. Hopefully she will not have the TB but if she does, let St Luke's save her life, and then she joins you in the US disease free.

As for you, for maximum peace of mind, go see your US doctor as soon as you get home.

Good luck to the both of you.

Edited September 21, 2014 by Al422

[Ian H. 207]

I understand your concern, but as mentioned before TB is a curable disease, although the medicine for it I've heard is somewhat expensive. They may put her on Isoniazid or some other TB medication.

I'm not sure if they would issue a visa if she tests positive, but is under medication. In any case, this doesn't make her permanently ineligible for a visa, it would just be delayed for at least 6 months which is the length of the treatment.

Also you should be checked by your PCP and inform him/her that you may have been exposed to TB and have them perform a QuantiFERON-TB test. As mentioned before this can be spread by breathing, coughing or even singing, not sure about the kissing part, so you have to take precautions as well.

It can takes years for someone to die of TB or even show real signs of it, but there is no reason for it to be left untreated. I hope all goes well and good luck!

[Al422 221]

Were you intimate with her in bed? Please don't answer that question except to yourself. Prolonged close contact will increase your risk. You should not panic, but you should definitely see your US doctor when you get home. This is not a disease to take chances with.

St Lukes will not clear her for interview until she checks clear for TB. She needs to do what they say.

[Hank_ 9,171]

Causes
By Mayo Clinic Staff

Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria that spread from person to person through microscopic droplets released into the air. This can happen when someone with the untreated, active form of tuberculosis coughs, speaks, sneezes, spits, laughs or sings.

Although tuberculosis is contagious, it's not easy to catch. You're much more likely to get tuberculosis from someone you live with or work with than from a stranger. Most people with active TB who've had appropriate drug treatment for at least two weeks are no longer contagious.