It’s nearly summer, and no one wants to think about anything but the end of the school year and upcoming vacations. But before you slip into vacation mode there’s something you need to do. It’s time to get a TB tests. Why? Because about 30% of the world’s population has Tuberculosis (TB) and with international travel so affordable, people are in constant motion, so an outbreak a world away can make its way to your neighborhood in a matter of hours.
Tuberculous Symptoms
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), TB is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a gnarly sounding name for a bacterium that usually attacks the lungs, but it can attack any part of the victim’s body including the spine, brain, and kidney.* Because TB grows in different areas of the body, the symptoms vary though they have some symptoms in common like fatigue or weakness, lack of appetite, weight loss, fever, chills, and night sweats. However, if TB is growing in the lungs (known as pulmonary TB), in addition to the previous symptoms, there may be chest pain, a bad cough for more than three weeks, and coughing up phlegm from deep inside the lungs or coughing up blood.
What’s unique about TB is that not everyone who’s infected becomes ill so they’re are two classifications – latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease.
Latent TB Infections
My mom and sister both have Latent TB Infections. They don’t feel ill, have no symptoms, but they test positive on TB tests. They can’t spread the bacteria to others as long as their immune systems stay healthy. They could have it for life without any problems. However, if their immune system becomes compromised, their TB bacteria could become active, and they could begin to experience symptoms; it also means they could then pass it on to others.
TB Disease
My aunt and her brother, my father, both had TB disease and spent a year in a sanitarium in their late teens and early twenties. My dad contracted it again, years later, and spent a year away from us when I was a small child. I remember visiting the County Health offices for TB tests. It believe we had them every six months, but if felt like it was much more often. It dominated our lives and plunged us into poverty; it was a difficult time for my parents.
TB Today and the TB Blood Test
Sanitariums are a thing of the past and today there are effective drugs that can eliminate the inactive bacteria before it becomes active and turns into full-blown Tuberculosis. But you have to know our TB status and get treatment. Make an appointment now with your primary healthcare provider before the crazy back-to-school shopping begins. It’s especially important if you have a child headed off to college, you or a family member have a weakened immune system, if you work in healthcare, or if you’ve been in contact with someone who’s been diagnosed with TB.
But what if you’ve been vaccinated for TB, do you still need a test? Yes. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends you have the test, too.
Knowing your TB status is easy – just one simple test. Have you called for your appointment? Summer is waiting!
TB Resources
*Source: http://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/basics/default.htm
I didn’t know people could carry it like that and potentially be contagious at some point. Yikes! Taking the test is so important for people!
When I was in nursing school, we learned a lot about tuberculosis. I think the TB blood test they are using now is so much more efficient
It’s so important to be your own best advocate when it comes to your health. The more informed that you are, the better.
I passed my tb test so have all the kids and hubby passed his too. All of us had been tested at one point or another. I am sorry to hear about your mom and sister having it. Spreading awareness is my thing too only I spread awareness for people to get tested for 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. You did a great job not only spreading awareness but educating us on signs and symptoms. Thank you for sharing. Great post.
I think the pros definitely outweigh the cons. It is better to be safe, than sorry!
My godmother tested positive for TB years ago and it was a shock. Luckily, she had a great doctor that knew exactly how to treat her.
I think TB has become a general disease these days with many affected by it & the statistics are really scary. My brother was diagnosed with TB few years back & luckily he got treated right away as it was in the starting stage. It is always good to go ahead with a test to make sure all is well.
Sounds like the best choice. I don’t know much about Tuberculous but have been hearing more and more about it lately. I think the blood test is the way to go.
Lots of good info here – thanks for bringing awareness! I’m sharing so more people can be informed!
My Daughter just had her TB test done. It was required for her to work in a daycare for the summer. It is so important to get tested.
Tuberculosis is a nasty disease and it is important to get tested regularly. There are still some countries where TB has not been eradicated, so as a precaution, we must subject ourselves to testing and get treatment immediately when needed. Thank you for raising awareness.
Staying informed is the first step to keeping healthy. Thanks for the great information.
It is so much easier to take the blood test. Easy is a rarity these days!