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Is Pulmonary Tuberculosis Treatment Advisable For Negative Sputum Test?
When I done my x ray, it has an impression of ptb right minimal. So I have to go to my doctor, he suggested a 3 day sputum exam. After the sputum exam the result is negative. He writes the diagnosis active ptb and he said I have to go a 6month treatment. But I don t have any symptoms or complication about an active ptb.. My questions are why do I have an active ptb if I don t have any symptoms and sputum is negative and is it OK to drink my medicine if I don t have the symptoms. I m on my 3rd day of treatment.. Actually I m in doubt about taking medicines.. I hope you could answer my question..
Tue, 28 Jul 2020
Hello,
The diagnosis of pulmonary TB is made collectively with positive sputum test, chest X-ray findings and tuberculin test. Why did you get the Chest X-ray examination done? Did you undergo any treatment for the same previously? Did you come in close contact with any pulmonary TB patient?
Increasing resistance to anti-microbials is often seen. I suggest you consult another chest medicine specialist with all the previous test reports. He might advice you another chest X-ray examination as well as sputum tests for confirmation. The treatment will be planned depending on the underlying cause, if it’s TB then you need to complete the course to recover and if it comes negative then the doctor will advice further tests to rule out other causes.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Manisha Auradkar, General & Family Physician
The diagnosis of pulmonary TB is made collectively with positive sputum test, chest X-ray findings and tuberculin test. Why did you get the Chest X-ray examination done? Did you undergo any treatment for the same previously? Did you come in close contact with any pulmonary TB patient?
Increasing resistance to anti-microbials is often seen. I suggest you consult another chest medicine specialist with all the previous test reports. He might advice you another chest X-ray examination as well as sputum tests for confirmation. The treatment will be planned depending on the underlying cause, if it’s TB then you need to complete the course to recover and if it comes negative then the doctor will advice further tests to rule out other causes.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Manisha Auradkar, General & Family Physician
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