Having work done in my house - dont even have a washer plumbed in yet!

It was announced that people who had suffered from pulmonary TB had impaired lung function and were not surviving Covid infection. I need to have workmen in my house (recently moved house which needs loads of work) I am afraid to do so even though it is very necessary. Can anyone advise please?

[hottchoc]

Hello jogo, anyone who has suffered from ACTIVE TB has the potential to have damage, but not if you were lucky to be treated early. Did you have a severe infection breathing problems holes in your lungs etc?

[Hidden in reply to hottchoc]

I was 18 months old when I had the TB. Was nursed at home and very lucky to survive. Had regular x-rays up until about 6yrs. Not able to do sports that involve running - get out of breath. As I dont have my med records I cant give any details. I have contacted my GP surgery but was very rudely put down by 'someone'. Was not able to speak to a Dr. So self isolating - for how long, I dont know. Was confident before this news that I could go shopping for groceries at a quiet time. Luckily a friend is now shopping on-line for me (all spaces are booked so cant do my own). The latest news on jabs mean I wont get one for a few months. Very worried.

[hottchoc in reply to Hidden]

Because of your breathing problems it would be best to stay away from going into shops, however you would be ok to do click and collect, it would also help you to get out and feel like your not excluded from society and would be good for you to get a little fresh air.

[Hidden in reply to hottchoc]

Thanks for the advice. I do go out with my camera - love to take photos. I know the places other people do not visit. Too cold today and still ice about. I also print and share my pics on-line. There are some excellent photo sharing sites. Will be visiting a friend today - we are in a bubble, apparently! She is adding my groceries to her shopping and we are now sharing the cost of delivery, also bagging multi-pack bargains. We have only just realised we could do this.

[Soul01]

The information I have seen indicates that people who completed TB treatment are not at an increased risk. We are subject to the same risks as others such as age, co-morbidities, etc.

Have you ever had tests as an adult investigating your breathing issues?

[hottchoc in reply to Soul01]

What you say is partly true Soul because it’s not so black and white. I had late stages of TB and it has destroyed one lung where I live with a permanent lower lobe collapse and scarring on both, and I have bronchiectasis, so i have increase risk and would not cope with another lung infection as I now have breathing problems.

[Soul01 in reply to hottchoc]

What I meant is that having had TB does not in itself increase the risk. Obviously if people have bronchiectasis or other lung conditions then that increases risk.

[Soul01 in reply to hottchoc]

I am concerned that those of us with lung damage from TB don’t seem to figure in the list of vaccination priorities so am assuming that they’ve either forgotten about us (!!) or don’t think the damage is of extreme clinical significance.

[hottchoc in reply to Soul01]

You would come under the vulnerable list Soul. Make sure your GP has registered as that, I think the vulnerable are the third batch

[Soul01 in reply to hottchoc]

I might be getting mine at work so hopefully I won’t have to wait too long. If I am not deemed worthy then I will contact my GP and ask about the vulnerable list. It seems to come down to whether a Practice codes the notes correctly.

[Hidden in reply to Soul01]

Hi Soul - sorry so long in replying. No have not had any investgation into my breathing. Just took things as normal for me. My treatment was done at home by my mum - this was in l954/5. As far as I know there was no drug treatment - just nursing. Was very lucky to survive. Dont think I will be on any priority list. Will have to wait until the over 60s are called for the jab. I bit concerning but that is the way of things.

[RoseRed in reply to Hidden]

I wonder if I’m a bit like you, found nodule on lung 2 years ago from I was told childhood tb, untreated as diagnosed as severe asthma. After Covid became ill with 1. Long Covid, then diagnosis changed to copd, that dismissed by latest tests and trying to identify if active tb.

I understand the theory but not the system of testing and as the first sputum test was negative and the rest haven’t appeared on my record I’m fearful of being left in limbo if no positive tests.