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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Diagnosed Of Minimal PTB. Due For Sputum Test. Taken Fixcom 4. Probability Of Normal Test Results?

Hi Doc. Matthew, I am newly diagnosed of MINIMAL PTB, upper left lobe, activity undetermined, I was advised to undergo sputum exam for 3 consecutive days and prescribed by a ROD to take FIXCOM 4, 4tabs before breakfast daily. I am applying to work abroad and I am worried not to be cleared in my medical exam because the ROD told me that PTB can be cure but not disappear. Is it true? And after my treatment, is it possible that my chest x ray result will be negative and my sputum test as well, and will be cleared in medical exam?
Wed, 29 Aug 2012
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Dear friend, thank you for choosing HCM.
PTB is curable.
let it be confirmed on examination. we need at least one confirmatory test to call it PTB as many times tests are negative (sputum showing the bacteria or a tisse / node biopsy showing typical granuloma)
a TB culture from positive sample takes > 3 weeks to give results.
anyway the treatment is very long and 6-9 months plus.
xray may continue to show residual fibrosis after successful treatment.

so clearence fo rtravel abroad is a little shaky.
let the test results come back.

I hope to have answered your query satisfactorily.
Take care and please keep me informed of your progress.
Good Luck !
May I request you to rate your experience here before you close.
Thank you.
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Diagnosed Of Minimal PTB. Due For Sputum Test. Taken Fixcom 4. Probability Of Normal Test Results?

Dear friend, thank you for choosing HCM. PTB is curable. let it be confirmed on examination. we need at least one confirmatory test to call it PTB as many times tests are negative (sputum showing the bacteria or a tisse / node biopsy showing typical granuloma) a TB culture from positive sample takes 3 weeks to give results. anyway the treatment is very long and 6-9 months plus. xray may continue to show residual fibrosis after successful treatment. so clearence fo rtravel abroad is a little shaky. let the test results come back. I hope to have answered your query satisfactorily. Take care and please keep me informed of your progress. Good Luck ! May I request you to rate your experience here before you close. Thank you.