Concerned about Latent TB infection - Online Doctor Chats

User :   I want to check if I have a latent TB infection?
Doctor :   hi
User :   hi
User :   ok
User :   My father is also a doctor
Doctor :   I will surely help you.
Doctor :   Ok
Doctor :   who had infection before
User :   but I am afraid he is either neglecting my problem or is doesnt get it
User :   my father got diagnosed with kidney disease
User :   acute renal failure about 3 years ago
Doctor :   but this problem is related to you
Doctor :   right?
User :   later it was found out the root cause of the problem was he had TB since a very young age
User :   my first concern is could I have caught the TB infection since I have been living with him for such a long time
Doctor :   It is possible you might have exposed
Doctor :   You could have been tested and treated
User :   what kind of test can I take to confirm I dont have one and how can I avoid one in the future as I still live with my father?
User :   what are the symptoms for latent TB infection?
User :   and where can I take a test?
Doctor :   Usually The pulmonary TB -transmit the infection
Doctor :   When he coughs the organism will be transmitted
Doctor :   But u said it is Kidney infected
Doctor :   So the chances of u getting infection r less
User :   he was diagnosed with acute renal failure about 3 years ago
Doctor :   U said
Doctor :   Was he diagnosed with Pulmonary TB
User :   according to his diagnosis he had TB and he never found out about it which over a period of years lead to kidney disease
User :   he doesnt tell me the details honestly
User :   I just want to be on the safe side here
Doctor :   OK
Doctor :   I can understand
Doctor :   LTB Latent Tb has these features : Doctor :   1. Symptoms
Doctor :   Do you have any cough, fever, weight loss?
Doctor :   2. feature is
User :   I have a cough persistently
Doctor :   Oh really
Doctor :   What abt fever , night sweats,
Doctor :   2 get the chest X ray
User :   I get feverish but it is very wierd in the sense it happens around evening time and I get a feeling like it is related to my penis which doesnt make sense
Doctor :   Please get the chest Ray
Doctor :   3. and Skin test for TB
User :   I have had chest x-rays done earlier can I read the latest one out right now?
Doctor :   4. Get the sputum culture for AFB
Doctor :   ok
User :   just one minute
Doctor :   ok
User :   This is important and I might take time...if time gets over can I continue with you in particular on the site?
Doctor :   sure .
User :   Ok
User :   I got it
User :   its taken on 26th november
Doctor :   NOV 2010
User :   report says General Radiology
User :   yes
Doctor :   ok
User :   november 2010
User :   Bony thorax is normal
User :   lung fields are clear
User :   Pleura is normal
User :   Heart and aorta show normal size
Doctor :   ok
User :   Diaphragmatic contour and position is normal
Doctor :   Normal
User :   but then the cough is very much there
User :   and especially when the cough comes out it has that peculiar taste...
User :   and I do feel feverish around evenings
Doctor :   But basically the chest X ray is normal
Doctor :   What about skin test for TB
User :   I have never done that
User :   what is that?
Doctor :   This is a test where they give small ijection under the skin
Doctor :   and see the Skin reaction
Doctor :   Usually there will be swelling if infected
User :   if the chest x-ray is normal should you still take the skin test?
Doctor :   Also get the sputum cul;ture
Doctor :   for TB bacteria
User :   ok
User :   can you suggest a good place where this can be done?
Doctor :   These are univerally avaulable in labs
Doctor :   *universally
Doctor :   Where u live?
User :   Mumbai
User :   another thing is about precautions in future
User :   if my dad was suffering from this any precautions to be taken
User :   by me I mean
Doctor :   Does he has any pulmonmry symptoms now
Doctor :   like cough
User :   I have a lot of cough stuck inside and he keeps saying do inhalation but it hardly ever helps
User :   he has cough from time to time yes
User :   and he has gasps of breath and I also get gasps of breath can this infection lead to obstruction of breath generally?
Doctor :   One should napkin or kerchief when they cough
User :   or fatigue?
User :   can it make your ashtma worse?
Doctor :   You better go out of place when he coughs
User :   the thing is there are other symptoms
Doctor :   Please go in order
Doctor :   Does he asthma?
User :   yes he has Asthma
Doctor :   He might be getting the cough and wheezing from Asthma
Doctor :   Usually bacterial infections makes Asthma worse
User :   ok
Doctor :   But if there is no TB it will not aggravate Asthma
Doctor :   Does ytour father had Lung TB
Doctor :   *your
Doctor :   If he coughs, he can get tested too
Doctor :   He need Chest X ray and Sputum for TB bacteria culture
User :   he coughs but not that often...earlier he used to a lot. Honestly he is a little difficult about this and to begin with I need to be ok so I can treat him. So I need to find my problem first I feel
Doctor :   ok
User :   how do you exactly define night sweats?
Doctor :   As you told me Chest X ray is oK
Doctor :   Then get the skin test and Sputum culture
Doctor :   Basically you get fever and simultaneously you sweat
Doctor :   It is just seating in night
Doctor :   *sweating
Doctor :   But check you temperature
Doctor :   in day and night
User :   well in night I do feel chilly at times if that counts?
Doctor :   If there is consistent fever, then u need to worry
Doctor :   Most of the times tests wil reveal
Doctor :   (will)
Doctor :   yes
Doctor :   not some times
Doctor :   alll the times
Doctor :   very frequently
Doctor :   Let me make it clear
Doctor :   There are infections
Doctor :   1 active
Doctor :   Do u have that
Doctor :   Chest X ray is normal
Doctor :   next just get the other 2 tests
Doctor :   2 . if u had previous exposure or real infection u can get activated latent TB
Doctor :   Do u have this ?
Doctor :   Again the tests has do reveal
Doctor :   Just symptoms do not direct the trreatment
Doctor :   So get the Sputumj for AFB /TB bacteria
Doctor :   If you can cough up enough sputum , they will induce sputum
Doctor :   Do u follow mre?
Doctor :   *me
User :   ya
User :   sorry
Doctor :   ok
User :   the other thing is with sleep
User :   I ahve a lot of sleep disturbances can it be if I have latent TB infection?
Doctor :   no
User :   I feel sleepy especially during afternoons even if I eat light
User :   even when I have had sufficient sleep
User :   you there?
Doctor :   sleep is not related to TB
Doctor :   Ge the TSH
Doctor :   to check whether you have any thyroid problems
User :   TSH is the name of the test?
Doctor :   yes
User :   please dont take it the wrong way I am just trying to clear my mind here
Doctor :   GEt CBC, BUN/Cr, TSH, Skin -TB test, Sputum culture for TB , ESR,
Doctor :   NO I am not taking negatively
User :   as I have been showing these problems since some while and I am drawing a blank
Doctor :   I really uunderstand ur problem u r facing
Doctor :   But u got the idea now
Doctor :   Do u want me to repeat ?
Doctor :   Even though you have few symptoms, you need further tests
Doctor :   If any test is abnormal , get the meds
User :   no but I have cbc report taken at the time of 26th November
Doctor :   u can type here
User :   I can read that
Doctor :   sure
User :   well there are many counts
Doctor :   ok
User :   there is a normal range given here
Doctor :   ok
User :   Haemoglibin levels 14.8 g/dl
Doctor :   ok
User :   rbc count 4.52 millions/cu-mm
Doctor :   wbc
User :   pcv 40.9%
Doctor :   ok
User :   wbc 7200 per cu-mm
Doctor :   ok
User :   mcv 90.49 cu-microns
Doctor :   ok
User :   mch 32.74 pg
User :   mchc 36.19%
Doctor :   tell me the differential counts
User :   rdw 11.5%
User :   ok
User :   Neutrophils 62.7 %
User :   Lymphocytes 20.9%
User :   monocytes 5.7%
Doctor :   every thing in normal range
User :   eosinophils H 10.3*
User :   this is in higher range
User :   basophils 0.4
Doctor :   In TB Lymphocytes will be very high
User :   rest is all normal
User :   ok
Doctor :   but they are normal
Doctor :   So next step is get the skin test and sputum tests
User :   eosinophils - do you have to be worried about that?
Doctor :   no
Doctor :   Don't worry abt them
Doctor :   They indicate dust allergy
User :   ok
User :   so skin test for TB, sputum culture with afb, TSH, ESR, BUN/Cr, CBC right?
Doctor :   Yes
Doctor :   Eat Good Diet
Doctor :   Exercise Daily
Doctor :   Avoid Direct exposure from breathing from your father
Doctor :   or any on
Doctor :   e
User :   right
User :   Thank you Doctor
Doctor :   If all tests negative , dont worry
User :   anyway to get in touch with you later if required?
Doctor :   If any thing abnomral, take meds for 6 mo
User :   well this is embarassing but sometimes I feel like there is an urge to masterbate but its not until after I do it I come to know if it was there
User :   its almost as though I forget the urge
Doctor :   That is normal
Doctor :   That does not indicate infection
Doctor :   If there is urge to urinate, pain while urinate they indicate infection
Doctor :   Frequent masturbation will resolve ur Urges
User :   there is pain but its like a muscle pain not skin issue
Doctor :   G
Doctor :   Where is the pain
User :   just before the tip
Doctor :   When u pee it should burn
Doctor :   Get the Urine analysis
User :   it happens but not all the time
Doctor :   ok
User :   in fact have a urine report also can I read it?
Doctor :   ok
User :   under Microscopic examination there is pus cells - Occasional
User :   Epithelial cells - occasional
User :   color is pale yellow
User :   appearance clear
User :   reaction(pH) Alkaline
User :   Specific Gravity 1.005
User :   Deposit absent
User :   quantity 40ml
User :   Chemical Examination
User :   Proteins (Urine) Absent
User :   Glucose absent
User :   ketone bodies absent
User :   occult blood negative
User :   bile salts absent
User :   bile pigments absent
User :   urobilinogen 0.2
Doctor :   ok
Doctor :   I need nmicroscopy
User :   Microscopic examination
User :   pus cells - occasional
User :   red blood cells - absent
User :   epithelial cells - occasional
User :   casts absent
Doctor :   oK
User :   crystals, yeast cells, bacteria, mucus threads, thrichomonas vaginalis all absent
Doctor :   basically it is normal
User :   then how do I fix the pain?
User :   I mean any other report to be done?
Doctor :   Also send the urine for TB culture
User :   ok
User :   thanks I will get these reports done and get back to you
User :   thanks a lot!
Doctor :   Sure
Doctor :   Thank you fro consulting me
Doctor :   Bye
User :   bye