Please help me help myself.

[kay614]

My question to you is if your TB test shows positive does that mean you have TB??? I have been to many many doctors and they either tell me I have a breathing problem and give me a breathing treatment and send me home. I am now with pneumonia and not able to go to work, i work in an assisted living place with many elderly clients and I am not willing to give them anything that they do not need.

Please help me. I am tired of going to so many doctors to be sent home. Thank you.

[kay614]

thanks so much for your reply. I did go back to my doctor and I have no signs of TB. I will always show positive for this disease but probably mean I was exposed to it at one time.

I appreciate your info. I am a caregiver and do not want to stop my line of work. Kay in Renton, WA.

[Reirei]

Kay, I am an OT who also works with the elderly.  My understanding is if your TB test shows positive it doesn't mean you have TB, but at some point in your life you have been exposed to TB.  Usually, a positive TB test is followed up with a chest X-Ray to confirm that you do not have TB.  Being exposed to TB does not prevent you from working with the elderly, but having TB would.  Hope this helps.

Reirei