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I Have Been Diagnosed TB As Positive By Two Test

Posted on 1 day ago

Question: Hi, i have been diagnosed TB as positive by two tests i.e. mantoux skin test and TB gold on 27-sep-21 and i have been advised to take AKT-4 tablets every day by a doctor. i am taking it regularly since then. on 13-mar-22, i got my TB gold test done again to check the TB. but my test still showing it as positive. why is it so that it is still showing as positive. is my medicine not effective or do i need to change the medicine. i do not have chest / lungs TB. it is bone TB as i am having pain in right lower ribs of my chest. i do not make any sputum so no sputum test is possible. CT scan, x-ray are ok and are not showing any problem

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry for Positive MT and TB Gold Test.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I can understand your concern.
Honestly speaking, one should not start Anti tubercular drugs without Radiological or pathological confirmation of TB infection.
If your Mantoux test or TB Gold are positive with all CT, chest x ray normal, no need to start anti tubercular drugs.
Because, MT and TB Gold can be false positive in individuals who got BCG vaccine or lives in TB endemic countries like
So I don't think your pain was because of TB.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Hi! Doctor

what about bone TB? I was told I have bone TB and I am taking AKT-4 since last 4 months. Do i need to stop taking AKT-4?

or is there any other test by which i can be sure of it. Please advice.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
For Bone TB, we do MRI of particular bone.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Ask a doctor forum.
For bone TB, we do MRI of particular bone.
So if not done previously, get done MRI scan.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (3 days later)

i got MRI done too. but nothing significant has come out for bone TB. i want to know why my pain is not going. is it due to some muscle or something else.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, this is mostly due to musculoskeletal issue other than TB.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Ask a doctor forum.
If your MRI is normal then no need to worry for TB.
This pain is more likely due to musculoskeletal issue other than TB.
Common causes are low vitamin d 3, b 12, costochondritis, muscle spasm etc.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Saisudha Kotla