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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Lung Scarring Be Completely Reversed After TB Is Defeated?

My initial symptoms were night sweats and extreme fatigue. My quantum test was negative. Night sweats appeared to go away in the warmer months but returned heavy in the colder months. I was given a sputum test about a year and a half later. On sample was positive and I went through 12 months of treatment. 3 of those initial months was with INH which resulted in liver toxicity. We start d a new regiment of meds a couple of weeks later after my liver was showing it was going back to normal. I have been off meds now for over a year. My question is, is it possible that the TB survived in anothr part of my body? My symptoms are irregular but heavy nightseats. My last chest x-ray showed no scaring. I feel energenic. My second question is, does the scaring go away after the TB is defeated? I thought scaring was perminent. I feel fine, but am not sure if I should be worried about the nightsweats. This is my second time being treated.
Tue, 25 Sep 2018
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Internal Medicine Specialist 's  Response
Hi,

If there is scarring it means there is fibrotic tissue formation in the lung in place of normal parenchyma. It is a part of the healing process. It may not go with time.

Night sweats may be possible with tuberculosis or lymphoma or anemia or chronic granulomatous disease like sarcoidosis or leprosy etc.

Have you completed the total course of medication? The recurrence or relapse of tuberculosis infection is possible.

It may not survive in other parts of the body if you're not dealing with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis.

If it is drug resistance it may survive.

Please get it done sputum examination, chest X-ray, ESR and CB-NAAT test.

Please consult your physician, he will examine and treat you accordingly.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Penchila Prasad Kandikattu,
Internal Medicine Specialist
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Can Lung Scarring Be Completely Reversed After TB Is Defeated?

Hi, If there is scarring it means there is fibrotic tissue formation in the lung in place of normal parenchyma. It is a part of the healing process. It may not go with time. Night sweats may be possible with tuberculosis or lymphoma or anemia or chronic granulomatous disease like sarcoidosis or leprosy etc. Have you completed the total course of medication? The recurrence or relapse of tuberculosis infection is possible. It may not survive in other parts of the body if you re not dealing with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. If it is drug resistance it may survive. Please get it done sputum examination, chest X-ray, ESR and CB-NAAT test. Please consult your physician, he will examine and treat you accordingly. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Penchila Prasad Kandikattu, Internal Medicine Specialist