 |
NetWellness is a global, community service providing quality, unbiased health information from our partner university faculty. NetWellness is commercial-free and does not accept advertising.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
|
|
|
NetWellness is a global, community service providing quality, unbiased health information from our partner university faculty. NetWellness is commercial-free and does not accept advertising.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
|
| Home | HealthTopics | Health Centers | Reference Library | Research |
 Join us on Facebook
|
Share on Facebook | Tweet |
|
Tuberculosis |
TB transmission09/03/2008 |
My friend has TB in the lymphnodes. It spread to the lungs. Is it dangerous to be with him? Since the TB didn`t start in the lungs, it`s not infectious, but do I have any chance of getting it? People are scaring me saying that I could.
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that can be contagious when spread by the airborne route, but it is usually only contagious if the disease involves the lungs or larynx (voice box) so that coughing, sneezing, speaking or singing creates an aerosol of bacteria that can survive in the air to infect other people. If your friend's chest x-ray was normal and if cultures of his sputum aren't growing Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the risk of being infected with TB by sharing the same airspace with him is small. If you are worried, please see your own doctor to get a TB skin test placed (optimally about 12 weeks after the last exposure before your friend started TB medications) to see whether or not you have TB infection.
|
Lisa A Haglund, MD Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine College of Medicine University of Cincinnati |
|
|
Please note: only your personal physician or other health professional you consult can best advise you on matters of your health based on your medical history, your family medical history, your medication history, and how information from any of these databases may apply to you. Neither University of Cincinnati (NetWellness) nor any party involved in creating, producing or delivering this web site shall be liable for any damages arising out of access to or use of this web site, or any errors or omissions in the content thereof. (More) 
|