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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can I Continue To Smoke While Taking TB Medication For Calcified Patches In Lungs Shown On Tests?

hello. I was recently discovered with calcified patch in my lungs. Doctor prescribed TB medications. Iam confused as the Skin test also turned +ve. Iam cunfused that if it is not TB than why did the skin test turn +ve? also iam continuing to smoke. pls help out.
Tue, 23 Sep 2014
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Pulmonologist,  's  Response
Thanks for your question on HCM. Skin test for TB is not the diagnostic test for TB. It is just a screening test. And calcified foci suggest that you had TB in past and now it is healed. So no need to start AKT only on the basis of skin test. Skin test for TB is false positive in
1. Old TB in past.
2. Childhood BCG vaccination.
3. Sensitivity of environmental mycobacteria.
All the above can give positive skin test even if you are not suffering from active TB. So in my opinion you shouod consult TB specialist first and discuss all these.
Regarding smoking, I advice you to quit as early as possible irrespective of TB status.
So quit smoking and consult TB specialist.
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Can I Continue To Smoke While Taking TB Medication For Calcified Patches In Lungs Shown On Tests?

Thanks for your question on HCM. Skin test for TB is not the diagnostic test for TB. It is just a screening test. And calcified foci suggest that you had TB in past and now it is healed. So no need to start AKT only on the basis of skin test. Skin test for TB is false positive in 1. Old TB in past. 2. Childhood BCG vaccination. 3. Sensitivity of environmental mycobacteria. All the above can give positive skin test even if you are not suffering from active TB. So in my opinion you shouod consult TB specialist first and discuss all these. Regarding smoking, I advice you to quit as early as possible irrespective of TB status. So quit smoking and consult TB specialist.