My wife and I have been helping a 72 year old single male friend with various heart/lung issues. Yesterday I took him to the ER with chest pain, coughing up blood and has lost 65 pounds in 5 months. After a day of tests and bewildered doctors, a lung CT showed “advanced active TB”. I just spent 12 hours in a 6x8 foot mini examination room with him. Once the ER got the CT results, we were taken to a separate room without explanation. All nursing staff and drs were now putting on masks. His physician came masked into the room and gave me a mask and gave the results. I followed him out to the desk and told my medical condition and medications…2 doctors and a nurse jumped up and said, “You can’t go in the room with him!” Oh great. I’m still waiting for a call from my GP as I suppose I should get tested…my rheumy is away on holidays.
Yes you get tested. Latent TB is a growing problem and active TB consequently is growing also. And any TB with biologics isn’t a good idea at all. So you get tested. The hospital where your friend was should have tested you there and then. If you test positive as I understand it, you must stop all biologics and go a course of antibiotics for about 4 months or so.
Lots of people find out they have latent TB when they go for the blood test before their first biologic and they have to delay starting it until their TB antibiotic course has finished which I do understand is at least 4 months.
The issue seems more prevalent on your side of the Atlantic too. Cyber hugs Amos. At least your friend should be on the mend soon too.
Oh no! Please take care of yourself. I pray your test is negative.
Hugs to you my friend.
My friend’s TB tests came back negative so he has been released and will follow up with his GP regarding various issues. So I’m in the clear and breathing easy. Good news!
Thank goodness!