TB AND CORONAVIRUS AT THE SAME TIME

My friend has just tested positive for both TB and coronavirus. Is this unusual? Is it dangerous?

[hottchoc]

Morning - I wouldn’t say unusual, I would say unlucky! Both I’m afraid are pandemics of the world but are opposites of each other, one being a virus and one being a bacteria, but both spread by coughing! She was very fortunate to get her TB diagnosed because with the Coronavirus being the forefront of everything at the moment, you would worry that a TB cough might be mistaken for the virus, and would miss out on the vital treatment needed as urgent. Hopefully with your friend having Coronavirus the effects are not too bad, but like I say she just happens to be very unlucky to have this situation. I wish her all the best, and you now need to be tested too for TB!

[Hidden in reply to hottchoc]

Thank you Hottchoc so much for your prompt reply. I will take your advice and will go for a test.

Kind regards.

[Soul01]

There are people who have latent TB (it sleeps in the body and there are no symptoms and it isn’t infectious). A person’s immune system can be compromised by another infection/virus or by certain medications and this can wake up the TB and it becomes active.

[Hidden in reply to Soul01]

Thank you very much for replying. He did have latent TB but it has now activated.

[Soul01 in reply to Hidden]

Do they think it was activated through getting Covid?

[Hidden in reply to Soul01]

Yes they do. He is now in isolation. They will treat the TB once he has recovered from the virus.

[Soul01 in reply to Hidden]

Please wish him well. He is welcome to ask any questions on the forum. There is a wealth of experience that can be tapped into.

[medical_student]

Hello!

I am a high school medical student. I would love to chat with you for a few minutes about your story and the struggles you underwent with TB. Let me know if you are able to conduct a quick phone call with me, and I'll share my contact info!!