Latent TB help please

[Needhelp_2019]

My mother  in law is in her 60's.  She recently tested positive through bloodwork for TB, after chest xray she is being told it is Latent TB.  

She told us, that she remembers being under treatment for Positive TB during her pregnancy.  She said she it was not an Active Infection that time either.  

She followed up with a Dr this past week and told the dr that she received some treatment 30 years ago.  The Dr asked if she can obtain her medical records from 30 years ago by visiting the clinic.  If she did get treatment before then she can now choose to not get treatment again and just come annually to get xray to confirm her lungs are still clear. So basically watch and wait approach.  Or she can just go for treatment again, and come regular to check up to ensure the treatment is not damaging her liver, because the lengthy treatment can hurt the liver.  

We are confused.  The dr left everything on her.  She is not sure what to do.  Since my mil had latent tb before can it still show positive in her blood after going through the treatment the first time 30 yrs ago? What if this is a 2nd exposure.  The Dr was absolutely unhelpful and used terms my mil could not understand.   I am not familiar with TB.  She lives in a different state, and I am trying to help her.  Does anyone have any suggestions from similar situations? Thank you

[Storie14]

I was diagnosed with latent TB last year having to receive 4 months of IV antibiotic. My infectious disease dr told me there’s a small percentage that antibiotic wouldn’t work and I will have to be monitored for life having latent TB. Also, with receiving treatment even if it successfully treated the latent TB it does not mean I will not show positive for latent TB again or have latent TB become active.
I would recommend she get a second opinion from an infectious disease dr who will communicate better to give her a more clear understanding.

[Ken_PA]

Hi, you could start by reading the guidance from the CDC, and WHO. Maybe also Canada and EU.

But I'd be leery that they might be more interested in preventing breakouts, than in her welfare as an individual. Also, the risk of liver damage is probably greater in a 60 yr old than a 30 yr old. I'd venture to say that she shouldn't think about it, before having baseline liver testing.

[Ken_PA]

https://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/treatment/decideltbi.htm

https://www.who.int/tb/areas-of-work/preventive-care/ltbi_faqs/en/

I went through it quickly. There is at least 1 disparity.

[CurfewX]

It would be helpful to know exactly what test was given, and what they were looking for.  If she has previously been exposed to or had Tb, she will always test positive for antibodies.  That, in itself, is not a concern absent other symptoms.

Regarding medical records, they don't have a choice but to leave it all on her.  Unfortunately, there is no database from which the doctors can extract her medical records.

A person can be infected with a different strain of Tb, or re-infection can happen if the first treatment was not successful: https://www.everydayhealth.com/tuberculosis/when-tuberculosis-infection-comes-back.aspx

First step is to find out what test was given, and what the results say.