How to cope with latent TB diagnosis with a baby in the home?

[concernedmom]

My daughter has a 3 month old son and her husband, who has RA, was just diagnosed with latent tuberculosis she is having a diffcult time handling this news has anyone faced this same situation if so how did you deal with the fear of the TB becoming active?

[earthwitch]

Check out the information here: infectiousdiseases.about.co...

Basically says that people with latent tb can't spread the infection and aren't contagious. It would only become a problem if the latent tb developed into active tb, which it can do if you start taking anti-tnf drugs before you treat the latent tb. I would assume that if the latent tb has been identified it was in pre-screening for anti-tnf drug treatment, and therefore he will be given a course of isoniazid or a similar tb drug to treat it before he is allowed to take anti-tnfs.

So, shouldn't be any problem for your daughter or her baby son.

[helixhelix]

My Dad had TB when I was a v little kid, and a different era then so not picked up until I got it too. But my sisters didn't catch it at all, so it isn't 100% that the baby would even get it even if the TB went active. And I was fine after treatment (although somewhat scared of needles). Polly

[Josie2]

Sorry no advice but just sending best wishes and huge hugs xxxx

Hopefully its good news and tb doesnt affect the little one x