Expose to tuberculosis

[chekopek]

Hi,

In the factory i have found out that one of my coleague is diagnosed with TB. We work in an air conditioned room for the past few months. Also, i have been fetching him in my car sometimes. May i know does the disease will be pass thru via touching the things he touched? What are other methods of transmission? Recently there are itchy red dots appearing on both my hands and thigh. Should i get tested?

Thanks,
Worry dude

[Corvin]

The skin test will catch it in it's latent phase when it's noncommunicable, if you wait until you have definitive symptoms then it's already communicable. Latent infection which 90% of TB cases are is pretty easy to treat, if you wait until it's active you have to take drugs with lots of side effects for six months. The symptoms of active infection would vary a lot on location because it can manifest anywhere in the body but generally the lymph nodes would enlarge, low grade fever, night sweats, but they would hang around a long time like a "cold" you can't shake. There's latent TB and active TB, if your coworker only has latent TB and is taking Isoniazid he's not contagious, but if he had active infection and is taking antibiotics for it then anybody that's been in closed proximity to him for long periods prior to treatment should be skin tested. Hope that helps. Take care
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latent_tuberculosis

[chekopek]

What is the consequences of not getting tested? Is it life threatening in the future? What are the symptoms i should look out for? As i said i have red dots appearing on my hands and thigh. The reason i asked is because i have a big family and i don't want to cause a panic.

[chekopek]

He is not treated as far as i'm concern.

[Corvin]

Everyone that was in closed area with them for hours everyday like family members, friends, and coworkers should go and get a PPD test. Even once a person is on TB drugs they're still contagious for about two weeks.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantoux_test

[allmymarbles]

Tuberculosis is contracted the same way you contract a common cold - by breathing infected droplets. If he is being treated I don't know how that affects transmission. Call your doctor for more information.

[chekopek]

anyone?