Wondering about applying a job having cured for TB, and have a lung scar.

[Flowercrew]

Hi! I just want to know if being cured with TB can apply any Job that i like? Does the lung scar cannot affect on my medical to apply a job?

[Soul01]

I can’t see why it would be a problem if you are cured of TB. Some jobs require you to have a medical but if you are fit and healthy, you should pass it.

[hottchoc]

I can’t see why this would be a problem unless your applying to be a diver or an astronaut! You are cured so nobody should be holding this against you - Good luck and go for it!

[HelenC Partner TB Alert]

Hi Flowercru,

If you have been successfully cured of pulmonary TB then there is no risk of infection to anyone else, therefore there is no reason why you should not be able to take up any employment.

However, you may need to prove that you have been treated for TB under certain circumstances. You may be required to take a TB test if you are applying for a Visa to work overseas or if you are applying for a position in healthcare. The standard TB tests are likely to indicate that you have been exposed to TB and you would therefore need certification from your doctor to show this is historic and has been treated.

I hope this helps and wish you every success in finding work.

Best wishes,

Helen

[Hidden in reply to HelenC]

Hello Helen -I hope you are well..... It is interesting to me regarding scaring that can affect the lungs because I had acxr 1978 which stated that I had calcifications to both lung fields & yet in 2016 I was told that my CT scan with contrast showed clear lung fields.

I saw several people asking a TB doctor somewhere online will my scares disappear and they were asking regarding work applications as above. He said they would not disappear to all of those who asked.

When I asked , where have my scares gone? My lady TB specialist said that scares can completely fade in some individuals.

Do you think that is categorically correct Helen?

My hemoglobin level was said to be high on several occasions. This is the situation found with many smokers. The alveoli are probably partially damaged so that the red blood cells increase to cope with the smaller amount of alveoli. My xray showed clear but the doctor said mm we usually blame 'it' on your chest! I thought -but is the xray good enough to show any damage that occurred donkey's years ago?????? I have always doubted it. Now the 'goal posts' have been moved so that I am now on the high side of normal. Is it any wonder we have reservations about all we are told?

[HelenC Partner TB Alert in reply to Hidden]

Hi Micklemus,

This question goes a bit beyond my medical knowledge but I will try to offer some thoughts based on my understanding. Chest x-rays can pick up various signs of TB: cavities showing damage caused by active TB bacteria, scarring caused by previous damage and granuloma (where the immune system has created a calcified wall around TB bacteria in the lungs, rendering it into a latent state).

I believe that cavities can heal but often leave scar tissue which may fade but will always be present. Granuloma may expand or contract dependent on any treatment or the strength of the immune system, so perhaps this answers your disappearing lesions?

As regards to the goalposts moving, this may be because our understanding of TB is still evolving - particularly with better imaging techniques. There is some useful information here: nature.com/articles/nri3211

Best wsihes,

Helen

[Hidden in reply to HelenC]

Dear Helen as always you've pointed me in the right direction once again - sincere thanks for that...... I found the article very interesting indeed. I see there are numerous other complex articles to look at but all the articles seem to be more appropriately read by super intelligent people higher than my intellect.

However it is shedding some light into why & how the bacteria can re emerge later in life given the correct circumstances.

It underlines the fact that doctors really do need to read medical history in the first instance and especially if that individual is Latent TB positive as I am myself.

[HelenC Partner TB Alert]

Glad to help.