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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
I am VERY scared I may have just had indirect contact with Tuberculosis...
Answered by
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I am VERY scared I may have just had indirect contact with Tuberculosis...
by Poni, Jan 21, 2002 12:00AM
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)
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)
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Jan 23, 2002 12:00AM
, Jan 23, 2002 12:00AM
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.
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.
