AFB (Acid-Fast Bacilli) culture is a rapid test used to detect mycobacteria, which is the bacteria responsible for infection like tuberculosis (TB) and leprosy. The sample is taken from your sputum or phlegm.
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I am worried about contracting tuberculosis. Please help.
Query: Hello doctor,I am a 45-year-old male, and I have been hearing too many tuberculosis cases in my area of residence, which is making me worried. I have developed a cough for the last two days. Could this be TB (tuberculosis)? I also have mild chest pain due to a prolonged cough and some amount of weig... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have read the query, and I can understand your concern. A patient with suspected TB (tuberculosis) is tested if they have a persistent cough for three weeks with sputum, weight loss, shortness of breath, or contact with an active TB patient or TB suspect. The pat... Read Full »
I am concerned that I suffer from tuberculosis. Please help.
Query: Hello doctor, I am a 35-year-old female suffering from weakness. Yesterday, after cleaning, I felt weak. However, I noticed blood in my cough this morning, and I am worried that I might have tuberculosis. I would like to know more about the symptoms of tuberculosis and if my current state aligns wit... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have read the query, and I can understand your concern. Regarding your symptoms of coughing blood this morning, I propose you have developed some possible differential diagnoses, which are tuberculosis, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), malignancy, or upper resp... Read Full »
I have a cold and a chest infection. Can I take Amoxicillin?
Query: Hi doctor, Four weeks ago, I had a cold and chest infection. I self-treated with Amoxicillin and it was resolved. Now, I am getting cough with slight wheeze. Also, it is a productive cough with green sputum. Shall I try Amoxicillin again? I am regularly on Citalopram and Micronor. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. As you have recurrent infection, I would suggest to do investigations first. Currently, I suggest tablet Amoxicillin plus Clavulanic acid (Co-Amoxiclav) 625 mg three times a day for seven days. Read Full »
How long should I take medicine to cure a tuberculosis lump?
Query: Hi doctor, I have a small lump on the right side of my neck near the cervical area. I have been having this for the last one month. Although I am on treatment, the lump has not gone. The doctor took out the pus from the infected area, and the laboratory reports confirmed it as tuberculosis. In that ... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com.I understand that you have a lump in the neck and was diagnosed with tuberculosis. AFB stain (acid-fast bacilli) might also have done for that apart from FNAC (fine needle aspiration cytology) to confirm it. Initially before testing, you were not responding because you mig... Read Full »
How to treat my cough that persists in spite of antibiotics?
Query: Hello doctor, I have been suffering from a cough since 15 days. There is phlegm as well. I tried using so many syrups, antibiotics and Levocetirizine with Montelukast. The X-ray and CBP (complete blood picture) are normal. But, the cough is still persisting and troubling me. What do you suggest? Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I went through your post. You have a cough from two weeks along with expectoration. You have taken antibiotics and antiallergic medicines, but you have not mentioned the name of the antibiotic which you have taken. I would suggest a few things: Any person wit... Read Full »
I suffer from a stuffy nose and fever. What is wrong with me?
Query: Hello doctor, I have been sick for over a month. It started with a sore throat, chest tightness and followed by bronchitis. Now I have stuffy nose and fever. I have taken bronchitis medications (Methylprednisolone, Amoxicillin and BREO inhaler). I have used a nebulizer with Albuterol. I am taking vi... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through your query and can understand your health concern. You might be having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with superadded lower respiratory tract infection. In my opinion, you can taper and stop Methylprednisolone as it is a steroid and it further... Read Full »
My wife's blood report shows abnormal monocytes and ESR. Is this cause for concern?
Query: Hello doctor, Me and my wife got an annual blood test done. Few of my wife's results are off the radar. She is 30 years old, and she had a mild cough when the tests were done. She becomes tired very easily. In the attached hemogram report, her monocytes are 0 and ESR is 80. Rest of the tests includi... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern, but after a detailed evaluation of your wife's reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity), I would say there is nothing to worry. Only monocytes levels are low, it does not mean much. It does not cause anything serious if ... Read Full »
Is there always 1 to 2 percent chance of TB recurrence even after completion of medicine?
Query: Hello doctor,I had pulmonary TB and underwent six months of continuous medication as suggested by the doctor. There was blood in the sputum a few times and the sputum test showed negative but based on the CT scan (computerized tomography) doctor suspected pulmonary TB (Tuberculosis). I was recommend... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through both the CT scans and reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity). It is good that you have completed six months of TB treatment in spite of the sputum test being negative. Even though the sputum test for AFB was negative, the symptom... Read Full »
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