RESPIRATORY DISORDERS EXPERT FORUM
I am VERY scared I may have just had indirect contact with Tuberculosis...

I am VERY scared I may have just had indirect contact with Tuberculosis...

I don't know if every family has a real piece of drunken, drugged up trash that sleeps around wherever she can just to get booze and drugs, but my family does. It just so happens to be my ... *wince* mother... BIOLOGICALLY SPEAKING ONLY. She's a chronic chain smoker, in poor, malnourished health, with a deep, persistent, purulent cough, and she's been diagnosed with full viral tuberculosis.

She told us this on the phone, but then TODAY she SHOWED UP at our HOUSE while I was gone, and then left before I returned. My question is:

Is there a chance that I can contract Tuberculosis just by her brief presence in my house? I know it is airborne and can be passed by infected urine, but I have worn a mask and fully sanitized my house with Lysol and Chlorox Wipes until my hands are pink and burning, and my boyfriend is eyeing me as if I'm OCD again. This woman carries more diseases than a Mexican Sewer Rat, and I avoid her presence at all possible costs, but was unable to prevent this exposure today. I am currently suffering from a nasty cold. My nasal sputum is of course "Christmas colored"- red and green, and I have swollen, inflamed tonsils. I was terrified that this would increase my chances of getting "tainted". Someone please dumb it down for me. I'm terrified. My mandatory TB patch test for my new job was negative, and I hope to GOD that I don't get anything just because some stupid, lazy, slutty vagrant coming to my house begging for cigarrette money has Tuberculosis.

Help?

(don't worry- I'm not normally this angry- I take Celexa for that)
251132_tn?1198082422
It is difficult to determine the diagnosis.  This could be Tuberculosis (contagious) or a non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection (not contagious).  The diagnosis could be determined by an evaluation by your local doctor or your local health department.
If you were exposed to TB your skin test (PPD) may not yet be positive.
You may need a second test about 10-12 weeks after the last time you were exposed to the infectious person.  It can take several weeks for your immune system to be able to react to the PPD.
Blank
Continue discussion Blank
Go
Request an Appointment
MedHelp Health Answers
Submit
Blank
Weight Tracker
Reach your weight goal faster
Start Tracking Now
RSS Expert Activity
1741471_tn?1336957856
Blank
LIVE WEBINAR TOMORROW!-SUPER BODY, ... Blank
May 22 by Michael Gonzalez-WallaceBlank
2126606_tn?1335910182
Blank
Fibromyalgia Awareness
May 11 by Clare Waismann Kavin, RASBlank
2126606_tn?1335910182
Blank
Opioid-induced hyperalgesia reduces...
May 03 by Clare Waismann Kavin, RASBlank