what are the chances that latent TB will become active?
117553
If a person's immune system becomes unable to prevent the bacteria from growing, the TB becomes active. Of people who have latent TB, 5% (1 person in 20) will develop active TB within 2 years after the initial infection. Another 5% of people who have latent TB will develop active TB at some point in their life.\n\nIt doesn't look like dormant TB develop into active TB easily. I understand night sweats is a symptom of TB, but one thing should not make you think you are in trouble. You still test positive on PPD even if your TB is dormant. But do see a doctor for your peace of mind.\n\nPeople who have latent TB may be at risk for developing the active disease if they:\n\nHave a condition or disease that weakens their immune system, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, some cancers, or poorly controlled diabetes. \nHave poor access to health care, such as homeless people, migrant farm workers, or people who abuse alcohol or drugs. \nTake medications that contain corticosteroids for a long time. \nHave a condition that results in an impaired immune system, which can occur in older adults, newborns, women who have recently given birth, or people who have had an organ transplant and are taking medications to prevent organ rejection. \nHave a chronic lung disease caused by inhaling sand-like dust (silicosis). \nAre 10% or more under their healthy body weight.
82111
The previous answer is wrong. She is a moron, Yes you will always test positive for the TB antibody, but they can easily to a sputum swab to test you for the actual bacteria. You don't need a lung x-ray.
904324
Nope. Exposure is different from active disease. You might want to get a Mantoux (PPD) test. If your rash is larger than a centimeter in the widest diameter, it confirms your exposure (not the disease). Though it also turms positive if you got the BCG vaccine. Active disease is diagnosed by the constellation of signs and symptoms like chronic cough, weight loss, fever, palpable lymph nodes. If you experience any of these, the doctor might request for AFB stain. You submit your sputum to the lab first thing in the morning and they stain it for the tubercle bacilli, for 3 days straight. Chest radiographs also show lesions from PTB.
197853
I cannot find any information that links COPD with TB. Sorry.
939032
The problem is that the test is standardized to diagnose exposure to the Tuberculosis bacterium. Your bodies greatest immune reaction to Tuberculin found in the "PPD" occurs between 48-72 hours, when a 'wheal' ( a raised red bump greater than 10 milimeters will occur if you have been exposed) will develop to identify your exposure to TB. After 3 days, the 'wheal"  goes down, and you can not accurately predict your risk of exposure. (A "Red mark"as described in the other answer does not indicate exposure). \nSo most likely if it is truly important to determine your risk of being exposed to TB (like for a health care job, or college) it needs to be "read' by a trained person (nurse or MD) by three days of age. So it looks like you may need to have it repeated.\ngood luck
925278
As a virus cant be treated with antibiotics I would guess it would win. HIV seems to be winning anyway.
143394
Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.  It can attack any part of the body.  Though it usually affects the lungs.  It can also affect the renal, musculoskeletal or lymphatic systems.  Anyone can get TB, though people with compromised immune systems and elderly persons are at greater risk.  People with diabetes or cancer are also at greater risk.  TB is transmitted from person to person through inhalation of droplets from a sneezre or cough.  You can also become exposed through prolonged, close exposure to an infected person.  Signs and symptoms of TB include a persistant cough, fever, weight loss, fatigue and night sweats.  Some individuals have no symptoms.  There are medications to treat TB. There is currently NO VACCINE for TB.  A skin test (Mantoux test) can show if TB bacteria is present.  The incubation period for TB is 4 to 12 weeks.
240748
Unfortunatel this is a genetic disease.  The chances are about 35-50% put the good news is that it is managable
873083
I WOULD SAY ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. YOU NEVER KNOW UNTIL IT CAN TRULY HAPPEN AND B PROVEN. I KNOW A PERSON CAN CARRY THE HIV VIRUSE IN THEIR BODY FOR 10-20 YEARS OR LONGER BEFORE ANYTHING LIKE AIDS SHOWS UP. SO THE ANSWER 2 UR QUESTION MAY LYE IN MORE YEARS OF RESEARCH, IN THE FUTURE....
414761
Yes.  Just ask the volunteer group you are working with to get you a list of what you should get.  Usually its stuff like Hep A, Tetanus, Flu, and Pneumonia.  They will also want to do a TB test.
1127114
I wouldn't worry too much until you get your chest xrays done. You could be  just a carrier of TB and not have the active disease. If your xray is negative you could be given meds to prevent the development of the disease in the future. Here's a link with all the answers you need:\nhttp://www2.dmi.columbia.edu/resources/tbcpp/skintest.html\n\n\nI can't reply to your email cuz it says your emal addy hasn't been confirmed!\n\nHere is my reply:\nI had a rare form of TB when I was 3. It was the first case like that that the doctor had seen in over 25 years. If afflicted my lymph nodes on the left side of my neck.  I had surgery to remove the affected tissue. For the next year I had to take 2 differnt types of meds and have chest xrays every 2mths. I am now 32 and still test positive although it is no longer active. I would get your family tested also.  I had my 4 sons tested at the age of 9mths due to my being a carrier.  Even if you do have it the prognosis is good as long as you do what the doctor prescribes for you.\n\n \nSymptoms may improve in 2 to 3 weeks, with improvement seen in the chest X-ray lagging behind clinical improvement. Prognosis is excellent if pulmonary TB is diagnosed early and treatment is begun. \n\nhttp://health.allrefer.com/health/pulmonary-tuberculosis-prognosis.html\n\nI wish you the best.
644442
Yes.\n\nFALSE-POSITIVE reactions to the tuberculosis skin test typically occur because of:\n\n# an infection with nontuberculous mycobacteria(e.g. MAV)\n# BCG vaccination\n\nAn infection with nontuberculous mycobacteria is an infection caused by mycobacteria other than M. tuberculosis.\n\nThe BCG vaccination is a vaccine used for preventing tuberculosis in many countries. However, it is not used in the United States because of concerns with its effectiveness.\n\nRegardless of the reason for the positive result, further evaluation of the test site should be examined by a healthcare professional. \n\nFALSE-NEGATIVE Tuberculosis skin test occurs:\n\nAnergy\nWhen a person's immune system is weakened by a disease, such as HIV, cancer or even severe Tuberculosis itself, the body may not be able to react to the Tubercuolsis skin test.\n\nRecent Tuberculosis Infection\nIf a person has been infected within the past ten weeks, the body's immune system may not be able to react to the tuberculin. This is because the Tuberculosis skin test cannot detect a Tuberculosis skin infection for several weeks after infection.\n\nAge\nBabies less than 6 months old may have false-negative Tuberculosis skin test results because their immune systems are not fully developed yet.\n\nTest Administration\nA false result may occur if the Tuberculosis skin test is not administered correctly.
323710
You mean tuberculosis lymphadenitis, an inflammation of the lymph glands caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.  It is a TB that is outside the lungs.  TB is primarily a respiratory disease and is spread through droplet infection (sneezing, coughing).  If you belive you have been exposed to an active case, you will need to see your doctor for a Mantoux test (sometimes called a PPD).  It's a skin test using a purified protein derivative (PPD) with the results read 48-72 hours later. If you are the one with TBL, and I certainly hope you're not, you should be on a medication "cocktail" and in isolation (hopefully in a negative pressure room in a hospital).
1056129
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs. But, TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal. TB disease was once the leading cause of death in the United States.\n\nTB is spread through the air from one person to another. The bacteria are put into the air when a person with active TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs or sneezes. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected.\n\nHowever, not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. People who are not sick have what is called latent TB infection. People who have latent TB infection do not feel sick, do not have any symptoms, and cannot spread TB to others. But, some people with latent TB infection go on to get TB disease.\n\nPeople with active TB disease can be treated and cured if they seek medical help. Even better, people with latent TB infection can take medicine so that they will not develop active TB disease.
336079
I know TB can be transmitted through the air so I would imagine it could be easily transmitted through saliva.
100739
No one can accurately predict whether it will or will not reoccur. Allergist are notoriously vague about this issue.\nMy daughter had severe asthma every winter for 5 years. We ended up in the hospital every winter.I removed carpeting, stuffed animals, covered mattresses,put air purifiers and filters in our home, Changed detergent, got allergy shots for 4 years.  So far, she's much better.  But the doctors are hedging their bets.
948285
For a sensible amount of time, this would actually help your condition. This will help the mucus that is probably still in the bases of your lungs, to thin out so that it can be carried up and out.