TB relapse for the second time. Negative sputum but positive tb for chest xray and apilordotic view

[frguzx]

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum. I just want to ask, how many months treatment for the second time tb? I was a bit sad that in my xray shows ptb again, I got negative sputum, I got tb on 2017 and treated well. I had my annual medical last July 2019 and I'm fit to work only scars shows on my xray. However, when I was about to apply for a new job and had medical this January 2020, my xray shows focal inflammatory and compatible to tb, had my apilordotic chest xray and the result is still the same. By the way I am going back to my pulmo doctor tomorrow for an advise. I just want ask your opinions and support. I am so down right now. Thank you.

[HelenC Partner TB Alert]

Hi frguzx,

I'm sorry to hear that you are being treated for TB again after beating it back in 2017.

How long the treatment lasts this time will depend on whether it is drug-sensitive TB or drug-resistant. This in turn may depend on whether your TB was really treated successfully back in 2017 or if not (it is possible to catch TB twice but returning TB is ususally due to unsuccessful treatment).

If the bacteria are drug-sensitive then a standard six month treatment course will suffice. If the TB is drug-resistant the treatment will take up to two years. Either way, the treatment is still very effective if taken correctly.

The doctors will grow TB bacteria in a culture or carry out genetic analysis to determine drug-resistance and you may have to wait a while to find out the results.

I hope this information helps answer your question and provide reassurance in the meantime.

Best wishes,

Helen