Nurse with history of minimal ptb wants to apply overseas

[Airene]

Hi everyone! I was diagnosed with minimal pulmonary tuberculosis way back 2013 with no symptoms at all. It was just seen on the xray during our annual medical exam in the hospital. I diligently took the treatment for 6 months.

With that, It became a hindrance for me to apply a overseas because of my history of minimal ptb, but then opportunity came and i got a job offer in ireland as nurse. In their pre- health assesment i will definitely declare my history of minimal ptb, can i encounter problem or will occupational health team declare me unfit to work in ireland because of this?

[hottchoc]

Hi Airene - I’m assuming you mean latent TB? Once you have have been treated you are no more risk than anyone else. Nobody can hold this against you unless you are active, because of the obvious dangers. You have the same rights to any job as anyone else.

You don’t have TB, so there is no problem. You are not infectious and you are not a risk, so it should not matter, just the same as if you had measles - it’s in the past. X

[Airene in reply to hottchoc]

Thanks for for your response, i'm just a bit worried because medical exam will be in ireland, so i don't know how they assess overseas workers there. Unlike in the uk, they have tb screening before they can finally be deployed.

Its sad to say that having ptb or latent tb has social stigma attached to it. And for people who had the disease have been considered vulnerable. However, i agree with one of the dr. In UAE that the chances of tb returning to patient, who once had it, are exactly the same as chances of tb affecting who never had it, that there are no medical rationale for considering person unfit for having old pulmonary tb... Than you once again for enlightening me with my concern.

[hottchoc in reply to Airene]

I think TB screening is a wonderful thing - so good on Ireland for doing that! But please don’t let it put you off, I’m pretty sure you will not be any less thought of. Good luck in your new job x

[Soul01 in reply to Airene]

Some people are tested before they can work in the UK.

To provide pre-appointment standard health checks for all new healthcare workers, to include:

– checks for TB disease/immunity;

[HelenC Partner TB Alert]

Hi Airene,

I am afraid that I am not familiar with the immigration system for Ireland. Have you visited their immigration service website, it may be of use: inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Home

As far as the UK is concerned, pre-entry screening is designed to check that anyone with active TB is treated before they can be awarded a Visa for entry. This screening must be undertaken at a test centre approved by the UK government. In fact, many countries use the same test centres.

If you are found to have evidence of TB from the past, you will be required to get medical confirmation that it has been treated and is no longer active before the visa application can be considered - a history of TB does not exclude you from entry.

I hope this helps.

Best wishes,

Helen

[Joseph4 in reply to HelenC]

Madam,

I am a doctor looking forward to work under NHS .I am having old TB scars which was cured long back.Could you pls tell me if it gonna affect my visa or career over UK and if not do I have to inform about this prior to my visa application?

[Grreeyyy]

Hi, i would like to know if you got the job or not. I am also in the same place as you and would like to know how your situation went. Your reply would be very helpful

[Airene]

Good day. I will be deployed supposedly this coming april but might be delayed due to covid19. According to my friend, you just have to declare it and present a medical clearance that you are treated.

[Avienne in reply to Airene]

Hi, Ms Airene! I just want to ask if you underwent any medical exam prior your deployment? Or your employer just told you that you will be having your medical in Ireland. I also had a history of ptb before but already treated. I’m also afraid that this will hinder me in pursuing my application. Thank you. Hoping for your response

[Broke_45 in reply to Airene]

Gudluck to your new journey airene be positive always we are the same situation.

[mon_chie in reply to Airene]

Hello, I just want to ask how it goes? Did you finally end up working in Ireland? I'am in a same scenario right now, I was diagnosed with PTB when I was preparing my medical for employment in Ireland, I don't have any symptoms and currently on my 4th month of treatment, my agency told me to just submit a medical report then will ask occupational health for a clearance. But I haven't heard any news from the agency. I hope all is well.

[Hidden]

My experience with TB may well be of comfort to those who had TB many years ago. In 1978 my xray showed scarring to both lung fields which confirmed a tubercular infection.It added that there were no active lesions. Many years later I had a few CT scans with contrast that said both my lung fields were clear of any scarring & yet I saw articles that TB doctors said the scars never go away.

The doctors were answering questions from people who were worried that they would not obtain possible employment due to an x ray showing previous infection scars with no active lesions.

I was told by a specialist TB doctor that scars sometime do fade enough to be not seen on a CT scan or x ray. I ask myself who is the most truthful and experienced out of those doctors with conflicting advice and confirmation.