Suggest Tests To Rule Out Tuberculosis

Posted on Fri, 11 Dec 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 11 Dec 2015 Answered on

Mon, 4 Jan 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Doctor recently we had a domestic help in my sisters family who was diagnosed with tb.we got the test of the my niece she was managing she is also positive as per the montoux test.a guilty of 17 mm.her chest x ray is perfect.my niece and my younger daughter who is 3 plus (yrs) play together everyday.the infected maid also use to make my daughter eat food and play or manage her everyday.what should be our line of action as far as the test,treatment is concerned. should all.of us get ourself checked.i have an elder daughter who is 10.

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Visit RNTCP treatment centres in your area

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

The bacteria causing tuberculosis is widespread in XXXXXXX and practically EVERYBODY has been exposed to this germ and has it in his/her body. But that does not mean that one is infected. Infection occurs only if immunity level is low. A Mantoux tuberculin test cannot distinguish between active and dormant tuberculosis infection, and the results are not definitive. Mantoux tuberculin test is also not reliable if previous immunisation with BCG has been done. The results need confirmation with further blood tests.

Treatment is likely to be required for your niece although a confirmation with TB PCR (blood test) should be done first. Ask her to visit the Chest Units of Health Deprartment under RNTCP (see http://haryanahealth.nic.in/menudesc.aspx?page=86 ) for proper treatment.

About your daughters, if they have been immunized with BCG chances of catching the disease is less. Testing would still be required in their case too.

Let me know if you have any other queries.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (17 minutes later)

Sir what tests are required for my daughters,there is no rntcp center here in XXXXXXX and honestly I would like to approach some trust worthy private testing center only.so please guide accordingly.do we also need to do an xray.

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Chest X ray would be required

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Primarily a chest X ray would be required. The blood test called TB PCR would be available from private labs. But about the treatment, I would insist on approaching the municipality chest clinics through which RNTCP treatment is provided to the masses. RNTCP is a national program and hence should be available in XXXXXXX

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T