frankeinstein:
You're right chief. Mantoux test is not the most definitive test. That is why I said it is only a first step. Also, the mantoux test is NOT said to be positive just because it produces an area of induration(Hard, fibrous area). It will always produce an in duration as long as one has had the BCG Vaccine, as you rightly pointed out. Positivity is to be determined by the clinician, based on the scenario and history

5-9mm in duration is positive test in an immunosupressed patient. Or a patient who has recently been treated for TB. If a patient has for example HIV/AIDS, productive cough and hemoptysis of 3 weeks duration and the mantoux test produces an in duration of the aforementioned diameter, there is no need wasting the patients money doing sputum AFB or GeneXpert.

10-14mm induration is positive in people who have been exposed to TB patients for example

15mm and above could be said to be positive in people with no known risk of TB.

in the latter two groups, the test is only a pointer for further definitive tests.

Also, the sputum AFB is not the most definitive test for the tuberculin bacili too. Because the bacteria is not always present in the sputum and sometimes, it is not present in sufficient amounts into be detected by the test.
The mist definitive test is the GeneXpert.

sayyid:
WHAT IS TUBERCULOSIS

TB is a communicable disease caused by a type of bacterium known as MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS(commonly referred to as TB bacilli). it mainly attacks the lungs, causing pulmonary TB (PTB). the bacteria can also attack other parts of the body such as the spine, lymph nodes, brain,kidneys e.t.c. this is known as extra-pulmonary TB (EPTB).


TRANSMISSION OF TUBERCULOSIS

TB is an airborne disease I. e it is transmitted through the inhalation of air contaminated with TB bacilli into air, therefore transmission is more intense in crowded area , poorly ventilated space with little ambient of sunlight. it can also be transmitted through unprotected cough, sneeze e. t. c from an infected person to and uninfected person.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF TUBERCULOSIS

1. persistent cough for 2weeks or more(it might be less).
2. shortness of breath.
3. loss of appetite.
4. fever
5. weight loss.
6. night sweat.
7. tiredness.
8. chest pain.
9. coughing up blood (haemoptysis).
while signs and symptoms of EPTB depends on the site involved

HOW TO DIAGNOSE TUBERCULOSIS

TB can be diagnosed in the laboratory and this rest mainly on the identification of the tubercle bacilli by any of the following Laboratory methods available.
1. AFB microscopy
2. Genexpert MTB/RIF
3. Culture
this is carried out by collection of a quality clinical specimen which is majorly sputum specimen.


DIAGNOSIS CENTERS.

Each of the 774 local government of Nigeria has at least three diagnosis center with double treatment centers to make accesment easy.

TREATMENT and DIAGNOSIS IS FREE.
INFORMATION IS POWER, CONTACT THE NEAREST HEALTH CENTER IF YOU HAVE OR NOTICE ANY ONE WITH ANY OF THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS AS MENTIONED ABOVE.

www.nationaltbcenter.ucsf.edu

Orikinla1:
.
I reported a suspicious case of a northerner with these symptoms to the Lagos State Ministry of Health, but no response till date. And the Mallam refused to go to hospital.
He is a cobbler near the MFM church on Olasimbo Street, in Onike, Yaba, Lagos.

frankeinstein:
You're right chief. Mantoux test is not the most definitive test. That is why I said it is only a first step. Also, the mantoux test is NOT said to be positive just because it produces an area of induration(Hard, fibrous area). It will always produce an in duration as long as one has had the BCG Vaccine, as you rightly pointed out. Positivity is to be determined by the clinician, based on the scenario and history

5-9mm in duration is positive test in an immunosupressed patient. Or a patient who has recently been treated for TB. If a patient has for example HIV/AIDS, productive cough and hemoptysis of 3 weeks duration and the mantoux test produces an in duration of the aforementioned diameter, there is no need wasting the patients money doing sputum AFB or GeneXpert.

10-14mm induration is positive in people who have been exposed to TB patients for example

15mm and above could be said to be positive in people with no known risk of TB.

in the latter two groups, the test is only a pointer for further definitive tests.

Also, the sputum AFB is not the most definitive test for the tuberculin bacili too. Because the bacteria is not always present in the sputum and sometimes, it is not present in sufficient amounts into be detected by the test.
The mist definitive test is the GeneXpert.

Amplitron:

Silent for where? The word tuberculosis and silence cannot be together. Constant loud cough which produce sputum and come more at night. So, no good sleep at night. Also, serious weight loss.
The good news is that the treatment is free in government hospitals and they have a good program to monitor your progress. Treatment can take several months.
Don't wish this on your worst enemy.

Amplitron:

Silent for where? The word tuberculosis and silence cannot be together.

Deseo:
Thank God I overcame it.

The treatment takes around 9 months or so. What really kills more than the disease is the stigma associated with it. I had to be careful not to infect others and I also did HIV test.

The loud coughing scared my family and I was isolated with my personal stuff and felt like a leper. I had to leave my bf to protect him because he wouldn't stop trying to lock lips.

The weight loss, the chest pains, the headache, the diet, the weakness, the drugs worsened my chest pains in the first 2 months.
I had to keep it a secret so people wouldn't runaway from me but avoided much contact and didn't share personal stuff. Moving around with drugs is no fun.

When I eventually completed my treatment, ah! My people! I felt so free it was the happiest day of my life.

drdanny:


The National TB and Leprosy Control Program in line with the WHO recommendation has strongly recommended the use of GeneXpert for the diagnosis of TB in all populations as the first test. Its more sensitive and specific and can indicate Rifampicin resistance which is a pointer to Multiple Drug Resistant TB, an emerging and deadly problem in the fight against TB. Mantoux test is soooooo nonspecific!

drdanny:


The National TB and Leprosy Control Program in line with the WHO recommendation has strongly recommended the use of GeneXpert for the diagnosis of TB in all populations as the first test. Its more sensitive and specific and can indicate Rifampicin resistance which is a pointer to Multiple Drug Resistant TB, an emerging and deadly problem in the fight against TB. Mantoux test is soooooo nonspecific!

Homogeneositys:
I used tb drugs for six months, but am still coughing. am just tired I don't know what to do again. I did another test and it is negative. please help me what can I do again

Homogeneositys:
please which test is dis and how much will they do it

layrico5:
Now available 4 in 1 tablets called Acurit 4. it makes dosing so easy and aid compliance to medication.

For Further details on where to get this medication kindly call Briscon Pharma- 08135273535

sayyid:

just go to where you were first diagnosed of the disease(tuberculosis) tell them you want to do genexpert and it is supposed to be free but depending on your location .
Get well soon

Homogeneositys:


I av done d test, it states that RIF resistance not detected. MTB detected medium please wat is d meaning

Homogeneositys:
I used d drugs for six months and no nobody is coughing in our house. what baffles me is DAT the smear for afb is negative

Homogeneositys:
thanks

Homogeneositys:
amen I av started using d medicine today

sayyid:

thank God it's not RIF resistant, but the result still shows that you have tuberculosis. you've used the drugs for how many months? if you've completed the 6month regimen and you got this result they will have to start the drugs for you again. and is there anybody coughing in your surroundings?

wayisshut:


I did maltoux test and the result was 8mm positive . what does it mean.

sayyid:

What it means is that they measured the mm of swollen of the area they injected. however there should be no swollen at all. so it shows that the positivity is very high. I don't know what you want to use the test for, but if you've been given BCG vaccine you will always be positive for manteux test. If you want to do a test for Tuberculosis the best test is AFB test or Genexpert.

wayisshut:



Thanks I had cough and was having pains on my chest. I did an xray which showed I was fine

sayyid:

try and go to any General hospital and request for AFB test or Genexpert so you can have rest of mind