Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) VS. tuberculosis infection (TBI)

Hello @sjepbt and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I looked back to find members who may be able to provide you with some support based on their experience and found @danielad and @aavhad who have both referenced LTBI in this community.

While we wait for them to join the discussion, I wonder if you can share a bit more about your exposure to patients. What type of healthcare setting do you work in?

I worked as a Phlebotomist in a very busy outpatient lab. It was not unheard of to draw 4-5 TBgolds per day as we had Rheumatologists, Dermatologists and several Dr's who had studies going on so it was hard to distinguish whether we were drawing for exposure or medication monitoring. I did just get the reults of my CT which was negative. I am concerned about atypical Tb ie: extraaxial musculoskeletal infection.

I am unable to cite via a link, the information I am looking at is on http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2766888/
If you replace the first 3 / it will take you to the site.

@sjepbt, I noticed that you wished to post a URL to a resource with your post. You will be able to add URLs to your posts in a few days. There is a brief period where new members can't post links. We do this to deter spammers and keep the community safe. Clearly the link you wanted to post is not spam. Please allow me to post it for you.

- Imaging features of extraaxial musculoskeletal tuberculosis http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2766888/

I was just diagnosed with latent TB. Where I picked it up is negotiable. I have been an teacher for 30+ years and a volunteer in the ER of an area hospital for 20 years. I figure between the two I was exposed. I have been given a prescription to take daily for 6 months. I am sitting and staring at the bottle. That is as far as I have gotten after reading about the possible side effects. My doctor told me I read to much and just take it. I am afraid since in my liver function test some numbers were high and my doctor hasn't given me a clue as to why. He is on vacation now so I am waiting for his return before I do anything further. The drug affects the liver so I need answers to my most recent blood test, two weeks ago. I have had positive skin test but negative chest X-Ray's for 20 years and now all of a sudden he gives me the Gold test which was positive and now a prescription, still a clear chest X-Ray. If anyone has been through the 6 month regimen I would appreciate a heads up!

My daughter went through the 9 month regimen a few years ago after working as a county jail nurse. This was at the insistence of an Occupational Health doc at a new job. She was only 30 at the time, and had a hard time with it, with many GI issues and a constant headache. At her request, a year later the Infectious Disease doc she was seeing for another issue looked at her numbers, x-rays and chart, and said he would not have treated an asymptomatic case like hers.

If I were in your position, I would consider asking the doc for a referral to an Infectious Disease specialist. Even a phone appointment should get many of your questions answered. There are many options for treatment now, including some that take only 12 doses, exposing you to the drugs for a shorter. If you have concerning lab numbers before you begin, there should be a regular monitoring program in place before you start the meds.

Here is information about treating TB from the CDC - it may help you in your decisions https://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/treatment/decideltbi.htm

Please let me know what you learn from your doc, and what you decide to do next.
Sue

@sueinmn I am taking your advice. I am consulting with a doc I saw last Summer at Mayo. I have sent her an email explaining my situation and I am hoping she can advise me or refer me to someone who can. I asked for a video visit. I am not comfortable taking a med with so many side effects for 6 months. Especially since I already have dealt with stomach issues. Will let you know what happens. Thanks!