inquiry

hi. is it possible to tell if one has tubercolosis by simply having an X-ray? if so, wat are in the xray that concludes ou to have one.

[National Jewish]

It is not possible to tell if you have tuberculosis (TB) just from a chest x-ray or CT scan.  When something unusual is seen the chest x-ray more testing is needed.  To find out if you have TB, your doctor will gather five important pieces of information:

[Ellis7]

See: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/tuberculosis.htm
Tuberculosis
Excerpts:
"The chest X-ray examination is the most important test. If there are changes in the lungs, a sample of sputum will be sent for microscopic examination and culture. Culture of tuberculosis bacteria will take 4 to 12 weeks. For this reason, it takes some time before an accurate diagnosis is possible.
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Are there other diseases with similar symptoms?

Bronchitis, pneumonia, smoker's lung and lung cancer can all show practically the same symptoms as tuberculosis. If tuberculosis is suspected, tests will need to be done to rule out the presence of these other diseases. Examination of sputum will usually include a check for cancer if the chest X-ray raises any suspicion of this type of diagnosis."

[AndyRRT]

The answer is NO.

An xray is one of many diagnostics to conclude if you have TB. The most important one is the sputum sample. We would get a sample of sputum and send it off to the lab for culturing. If the results came back for mycobacterium....BANG, you go it. If not, you're cleared.

An xray with someone having TB would show a cavitating lession mostlikely in the upper lobes of the lungs.

Andy, RRT, CPFT

[clyde_bossman]

thank you for the response.
actually, i had a throat swab culture and a "normal fauna" was stated in the report.is that the same as effective as sputum test? however, the swab was only slightly rub through my tonsils. plus, considering the fact that the culture extraction was done at the middle of the day already. i have eaten, brush my teeth and drank liquids. shouldn't be the swab test be done first thing in the morning?, when the patient mouth/throat is at its "prime" state.?
thanks..