TB and Covid

[womble2020]

Morning, I have just been told by My breast care doctor that I have TB. I am waiting for the TB team to get in touch and I have to have another biopsy on my third lymph node that's turned into a lump. Work have told me to stay off in case I catch Covid and make the situation worse.

Can this happen?

[Soul01]

Do you know if it’s active TB or latent (sleeping) TB?

[womble2020 in reply to Soul01]

I've had a CT scan and I haven't got TB on my chest.

So it must be latent TB

[Soul01 in reply to womble2020]

I am certainly not an expert so am just sharing some thoughts. Latent TB isn’t contagious and doesn’t make a person more vulnerable to Covid. The issue seems to be that if a person with latent TB has a weakened immune system, such as through catching Covid, there is the possibility of the latent TB “waking up” and becoming active.

When latent TB is discovered, some people are encouraged to take the 3 month treatment to stop it becoming active but the doctors have to consider various factors before deciding if that is the appropriate action to take.

[womble2020 in reply to Soul01]

Thank you that makes sense. I'm hoping to get back to work .

[Nowt in reply to womble2020]

I had lymph node TB, it wasnt in my lungs and they said I wasn't contagious

[womble2020 in reply to Nowt]

Hi. Did you have treatment?

I've had 2 lymph nodes removed and another has appeared in exactly the same place.

I am waiting for an xray and a consultation!