What is the test done to diagnose tuberculosis?

Question

Hi doctor,

During fitness examination, I have learned that I have bilateral apical pleural thickening in chest X-Ray, but neither in the past nor currently do have any health complaints. I have done PPD skin test and QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus, which are positive 20 mm and 3.42 IU, respectively. Again, I have no specific complaints, but sometimes shortness of breathlessness is felt while using the staircase. Please help.

Answer 1

Hi doctor,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

You have no symptoms of tuberculosis, but there are definite signs, and diagnostic tests also refer to the presence of tuberculosis (TB) bacteria in your body. You have no active infection but have latent TB. As you have latent (inactive TB), You can not pass TB to others, but these bacteria are waiting for your immune system to weaken due to another infection or illness. So once you get some sickness, you will get a weakened and active TB infection. The pathogen has already damaged your lungs. Therefore, I prefer to refer you for an in-office visit to a pulmonologist (or TB department of a hospital) and get started with the anti-tuberculous drugs.

Your pulmonologist will treat you accordingly, and I suggest you complete the course of treatment as prescribed; otherwise, there will be a lot of complications. However, it would be best if you had treatment.

I hope you find it helpful.

Kind regards.