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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Should I Take Anti TB Medicines If Symptoms Improving With Antibiotics?

im 63 year old male, had a skin problem for which i have to take steroid for 2 months. i got lung infection, bacterial type, but the doctor checked the sputum for PCR TB, and it was positive. Though my symptoms were improving with antibiotic and the lung xray was improving, the doctor still recommended me to take anti TB meds. do i need to take the meds? can it be a false positive result considering my symptoms were actually improving with the antibiotic?
Mon, 11 Apr 2016
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Pulmonologist,  's  Response
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Yes, you should definitely take anti tubercular drugs.
TB PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test is highly specific. It's specificity is almost 100%. So no chance of false positive report.
You might be having mixed infection (tubercular and bacterial).
So with antibiotics, your bacterial part is improving and hence chest x ray is also improving.
Tuberculosis is basically a chronic disease.
If don't take treatment at present, it will show after 1-2 months.
So even if you are improving with anti tubercular drugs, since your TB PCR is positive, you should definitely Complete the course of anti tubercular drugs.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
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Should I Take Anti TB Medicines If Symptoms Improving With Antibiotics?

Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic. I can understand your concern. Yes, you should definitely take anti tubercular drugs. TB PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test is highly specific. It s specificity is almost 100%. So no chance of false positive report. You might be having mixed infection (tubercular and bacterial). So with antibiotics, your bacterial part is improving and hence chest x ray is also improving. Tuberculosis is basically a chronic disease. If don t take treatment at present, it will show after 1-2 months. So even if you are improving with anti tubercular drugs, since your TB PCR is positive, you should definitely Complete the course of anti tubercular drugs. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.