Negative sputum Culture

[Cony12]

Hey guys

Does somebody know how long it takes to get a negative Sputum culture for tuberculosis after starting medication? (Declared non infectious)

Thank you

[hottchoc]

Unfortunately once you have a positive TB blood test, you will always be positive whether you have been treated or not. You will not be tested to check on a sputum test again as there is no point.

[Cony12 in reply to hottchoc]

No I mean the sputum Culture test. It decides whether we're infectious or not. First they said that in the scale of 1 to 4 I was at 4. Now the bacterial load has reduced to 1+ But for the past 3 weeks it has been in 1+. If it turns to 0 they'll let me leave isolation and I can be with people.

[hottchoc in reply to Cony12]

This is very unusual, I’ve not come across this before. The standard thing is wait for two weeks after starting your antibiotics and then you can go out

[Soul01 in reply to Cony12]

I’m confused as to why you’re in isolation if they have declared you non-infectious. As hotchoc said, people are usually allowed to mix after 2 weeks on medication.

[Cony12 in reply to Soul01]

That's nice. I read that on google as well. But here in Minnesota the TB clinic does not let you leave isolation unless you get a negative sputum culture. So every week I cough into a cup and give it for testing.

[Soul01 in reply to Cony12]

Does that mean that you have to stay in hospital or can you isolate at home?

[Cony12 in reply to Soul01]

I can isolate at home but who knows how long

[Soul01 in reply to Cony12]

I have never heard of home isolation for TB but perhaps they are trying to keep people out of hospital because of COVID.

[87wise]

I’m from the Uk I never got offered a sputum test after the three days worth I did to check for it originally . They say you should be isolated for two weeks but they made me do three as my cough was very prominent . So they did that as a precaution and as others are saying they didn’t think you did joke isolation I did mine at home over here . I got told here they don’t admit you unless you require oxygen therapy etc . Hopefully you soon will not be testing positive in any sputum samples and I hope you have a speedy recovery and are ok xx and everyone is here to talk if you need to have a chat I’ve found this place a great help especially when I was so low sometimes I think they forget we are people with thoughts and feelings .

[Cony12 in reply to 87wise]

Thank you so much. Yes I've found this place very helpful as I cannot find any other forums and no one else understands or can relate to this.

[bambam1234 in reply to 87wise]

I'm from UK as well. I'm on my 10th week of antibiotics and feel better now than I did at the start, although it was only the side effects making me feel ill, not the TB. I felt really low. I had no TB symptoms other than a long term cough. I was not told to isolate, just to be careful and wear a mask which I was already doing. I had my second x ray yesterday and was told my lungs were looking better, although at the start they had to search for the TB as it was so difficult to find. I am assuming I will be tested again at the end of treatment, but I read here that I will always be positive now. I don't understand this.

[87wise in reply to bambam1234]

I’ve never prayed from something to be over so soon the medication I had to take for the first 8 weeks were awful . So was it your cough that stood out ? I’ve got lung cavities from the Tb I have another scan soon to decide if I am going to need a further three months treatment if there open still . The whole isolation thing seems to be taken more seriously in other countries I was like you not told to try to isolate if possible but wear a mask if I needed to leave the house but mainly just not work for three weeks . But I was so poorly at the point of going on medication I didn’t leave the house took me so many months to get a diagnosis it’s crazy think covid hasn’t helped the situation . How long did your cough go on for before a diagnosis ? .

[bambam1234 in reply to 87wise]

I had my cough for over 10 years, but I had numerous x rays and checks with various doctors over those years and I was always told it was Acid reflux, so I've just put up with it. This year around March I suddenly had a pain in my back and chest so I checked with my GP and he sent me for another x ray. This time the GP asked me if Id every had TB. Of course I said no. The x ray came back with a shadow so I was given a bronchoscopy and they diagnosed active TB. They said I could have had it(latent) since I was young but would never know. My own feeling is that I caught it while travelling in Morocco or India.(over the last 10 years) So now I'm on my 10th week of meds, but I still cough....it has not gone! I think it might be acid reflux after all and the TB was just found coincidently. The consultant doesn't seem concerned that I am still coughing...says it likely to be reflux from the meds.I'm sorry you have felt so bad, but I agree, the first 8 weeks were awful. I was unable to function and just lay about sleeping. Took time off.....I actually went back to work today for the first time. I'm fortunate that I don't have lung cavities. I seem to have caught it early so they said.

[Cony12 in reply to bambam1234]

Hi

I'm on my 9th week of meds and the cough hasn't stopped as well but has reduced. It will take time. But since you're saying you had a cough for 10 years it may be just Acid reflux as well. I hope everything goes well for you

❤️❤️

[bambam1234 in reply to Cony12]

Thank you. I wish the same for you. This illness is quite a challenge and you must be strong to deal with continuing the medication right to the end. 🙂

[AT2021]

I have been diagnosed with Active Pulmonary TB and have been taking medication since almost 3 weeks now. Its nice to join this forum and read everyones journey of fighting this disease. Also it gives you idea of what might come