Minimal Tuberculosis

[chipsahoy 3]

I was diagnosed of having a minimal tuberculosis yesterday. Whatta frustrating and disappointing day for me.. But then, it was a blessing that I have found out about it this early than later on my medical examination.

Anyways, what other test should I take in advance so I would not be in trouble when my medical examination and interview already schedules?

Thanks!

Julie

[Magnolia31 0]

I was diagnosed of having a minimal tuberculosis yesterday. Whatta frustrating and disappointing day for me.. But then, it was a blessing that I have found out about it this early than later on my medical examination.

Anyways, what other test should I take in advance so I would not be in trouble when my medical examination and interview already schedules?

Thanks!

Julie

Hey!

I just noticed that you state you met on myspace. I am addicted to Myspace! LOL

I hope that you find the answer you are looking for. I have no idea what to do or needs to be done in your situation

[chipsahoy 3]

I was diagnosed of having a minimal tuberculosis yesterday. Whatta frustrating and disappointing day for me.. But then, it was a blessing that I have found out about it this early than later on my medical examination.

Anyways, what other test should I take in advance so I would not be in trouble when my medical examination and interview already schedules?

Thanks!

Julie

Hey!

I just noticed that you state you met on myspace. I am addicted to Myspace! LOL

I hope that you find the answer you are looking for. I have no idea what to do or needs to be done in your situation

Oh yhea.. Heehee.. We met on myspace and now Im not allowed to use it anymore.. Hee.

Yeah, I hope someone can help me..

[Magnolia31 0]

I was diagnosed of having a minimal tuberculosis yesterday. Whatta frustrating and disappointing day for me.. But then, it was a blessing that I have found out about it this early than later on my medical examination.

Anyways, what other test should I take in advance so I would not be in trouble when my medical examination and interview already schedules?

Thanks!

Julie

Hey!

I just noticed that you state you met on myspace. I am addicted to Myspace! LOL

I hope that you find the answer you are looking for. I have no idea what to do or needs to be done in your situation

Oh yhea.. Heehee.. We met on myspace and now Im not allowed to use it anymore.. Hee.

Yeah, I hope someone can help me..

Aww, LOL. I still use it because all my friends that I went to school with are on there. It's my way of staying in touch with them.

I see you still haven't gotten an answer to your question! :*(

[themnhung 0]

[you should take treatment as soon as possible, because treatment will take atleast 7 months or MORE. and

be prepare for the side effect of the treatment (darken skin, body temperture rise, rash, hot temper, tiredness...etc).

they wont let you take medicine home, so every morning you have to go to the hospital and take the medication.

they will deny you visa until your TB is treated.

if you have anyway of avoiding failing your medical exam, then do it at any cost.

[Ladylethal 12]

Indeed, TB is one of the things they might deny your visa, so you might wanna treat that as fast as possible.

[ELW 5]

Start treatment immediately. I was in India where TB was rampant, and I looked after some patients. I know that for most with minimal type, the tests showed negative after only 2-3 months of treatment. HOWEVER, you MUST take at least 6-9 months of treatment (according to doc’s instructions). Stopping before treatment is complete with cause your body to have resistance to the drugs and the TB might return.

It looks like your I-129F hasn’t even been sent in yet. You will have PLENTY of time to become TB-negative by the time of your medical exam/interview, if you start treatment right now. Good luck for a speedy process!

[maya62 7]

Our son was allowed to enter the US without question despite having a clear positive on his skin test. In fact, no one in either agency (DOS or USCIS) said one word about it through the entire process and he now has his 2 year green card. What is even more disturbing is the fact that we wouldn't even know there was a problem if I hadn't, out of curiosity alone, questioned the results of the skin test myself (I'm the USC wife/stepmom).

I just happen to work for a public health agency, so as soon as he arrived here in the US, we followed the recommendations of our public health medical director, which was to get a chest xray (clear) and then start Isoniazid daily for 9 months. That was what was recommended for his specific age and history (vaccinated as a newborn with BCG). Your treatment may be different.

I think those who have suggested checking with a doctor in your area are correct. You may want to start at your local health department, if you have one. TB is of public health significance - which is why it is part of the immigration process - and they may have a system in place to help you at the lowest cost. I agree, you should begin treatment as soon as possible and continue until you are completely finished. It is my understanding that completing the recommended course of medication can result in a far lower chance of developing full-blown TB later in life.

Keep any and all documentation associated with whatever action you decide to take. If you test positive at your medical exam, you can show them that you are taking appropriate action.

Best wishes!

Maya

Edited January 26, 2007 by maya62

[patiently_waiting 0]

Think you should look into treatment. It is a long treatment process. I also met my guy on myspace. ;-)

[terps76 0]

Our son was allowed to enter the US without question despite having a clear positive on his skin test. In fact, no one in either agency (DOS or USCIS) said one word about it through the entire process and he now has his 2 year green card. What is even more disturbing is the fact that we wouldn't even know there was a problem if I hadn't, out of curiosity alone, questioned the results of the skin test myself (I'm the USC wife/stepmom).

I just happen to work for a public health agency, so as soon as he arrived here in the US, we followed the recommendations of our public health medical director, which was to get a chest xray (clear) and then start Isoniazid daily for 9 months. That was what was recommended for his specific age and history (vaccinated as a newborn with BCG). Your treatment may be different.

I think those who have suggested checking with a doctor in your area are correct. You may want to start at your local health department, if you have one. TB is of public health significance - which is why it is part of the immigration process - and they may have a system in place to help you at the lowest cost. I agree, you should begin treatment as soon as possible and continue until you are completely finished. It is my understanding that completing the recommended course of medication can result in a far lower chance of developing full-blown TB later in life.

Keep any and all documentation associated with whatever action you decide to take. If you test positive at your medical exam, you can show them that you are taking appropriate action.

Best wishes!

Maya

I agree with ELW about the treatment for TB. Here in the Philippines where TB is prevalent, we diagnose patients based on the signs and symptoms, Chest X-ray and skin test(matoux test). The triple therapy of anti-Kochs medication should be started immediately and we advised patient on the expected side effects of these drugs. It is not true however that the treatment can only be acquired at certain hospital where the patient has to go there every morning. That was a project of the government only for the "indigent patient" so that they will comply with treatment. The medicines should be taken continuously for 6-9 months to avoid resistance, however at 3-4 months after initiation of therapy you should follow-up with your physician to check if your responding with the treatment as will be seen by a clear chest X-ray. If Chest X-ray remains positive then an additional drug(quadruple therapy) will be given and will be continued for 9 months.

Just to make a comment about the positive skin test of Maya's step child. A positive skin test means that a person was exposed to TB and does not mean a treatment should be initiated unless there are signs and symptoms. Since not all children will have a positive result for chest X-ray even if they have a disease, the childs presentation with a positive skint test are more more reliable. The positive result of a skin test should not be disturbing and is expected because as I have said pulmonary TB is common here and it only means that he was exposed to a person who has it and does not necessarily mean that your child has the disease. Having said that, there is no reason for anybody to question or prevent your step child from entering USA.

[terps76 0]

Our son was allowed to enter the US without question despite having a clear positive on his skin test. In fact, no one in either agency (DOS or USCIS) said one word about it through the entire process and he now has his 2 year green card. What is even more disturbing is the fact that we wouldn't even know there was a problem if I hadn't, out of curiosity alone, questioned the results of the skin test myself (I'm the USC wife/stepmom).

I just happen to work for a public health agency, so as soon as he arrived here in the US, we followed the recommendations of our public health medical director, which was to get a chest xray (clear) and then start Isoniazid daily for 9 months. That was what was recommended for his specific age and history (vaccinated as a newborn with BCG). Your treatment may be different.

I think those who have suggested checking with a doctor in your area are correct. You may want to start at your local health department, if you have one. TB is of public health significance - which is why it is part of the immigration process - and they may have a system in place to help you at the lowest cost. I agree, you should begin treatment as soon as possible and continue until you are completely finished. It is my understanding that completing the recommended course of medication can result in a far lower chance of developing full-blown TB later in life.

Keep any and all documentation associated with whatever action you decide to take. If you test positive at your medical exam, you can show them that you are taking appropriate action.

Best wishes!

Maya

Just to make a comment about the positive skin test of Maya's step child. A positive skin test means that a person was exposed to TB( meaning one of the adults that the child live with has the disease ) and does not mean a treatment should be initiated unless there are signs and symptoms. Since not all children will have a positive result for chest X-ray( especially babies and toddlers) even if they have a disease, the childs presentation with a positive skint test are more more reliable. The positive result of a skin test is expected because pulmonary TB is common here and it only means that he was exposed to a person who has it and does not necessarily mean that your child has the disease. However to prevent development of the disease process, if the child is continuously expose to a household member with TB, treatment here in the Philippines for a child with exposure are Isoniazid and Rifampicin for 6 months with a repeat skin test at 3 months. Children are the ones usually infected when exposed to an adult who has TB but they(child) is not infectious. If there is an exposure and your child does not have signs and symptoms and you will not be staying in a household with positive for TB then its upon the discretion of your physician to start treatment. Treatment in the USA and Philippines will be different because it is not common there as it is here, therapy here is more aggressive.

I agree with ELW about the treatment for TB.

Here in the Philippines where TB is prevalent, we diagnose patients based on the signs and symptoms, Chest X-ray and skin test(matoux test). The triple therapy of anti-Kochs medication should be started immediately and we advised patient on the expected side effects of these drugs. It is not true however that the treatment can only be acquired at certain hospital where the patient has to go there every morning. That was a project of the government only for the "indigent patient" so that they will comply with treatment. The medicines should be taken continuously for 6-9 months to avoid resistance, however at 3-4 months after initiation of therapy you should follow-up with your physician to check if your responding with the treatment as will be seen by a clear chest X-ray. If Chest X-ray remains positive then an additional drug(quadruple therapy) will be given and will be continued for 9 months.

Anthony Julie, just be compliant with the treatment regimen and start it immediately so that when your interview comes your chest X-ray will be clear or may it show fibrotic tissues(scar) which is a sign that you are healed.

[vanee 13]

I was diagnosed of having a minimal tuberculosis yesterday. Whatta frustrating and disappointing day for me.. But then, it was a blessing that I have found out about it this early than later on my medical examination. Julie

Sorry to hear about that. As you said, though, better now than later.

How did you find out that you have it? I need to go to my doctor for something else soon, and I wonder if I should ask for a test.