Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Had Inflammation In Retina, Mauntex Test Positive, Treated For Tb For 8 Months. When To Stop ?
my mom was said to have inflammation in retina and mauntex test turned to be positive so she is prescribed with the whole treatment of tuberculosis of 8 months . she has no symptoms of pulmonary tb. she is said to have ocular tuberculosis. she is also given wysolone, rantidine amd shelcal and eye drops pred forte. we feel reluctant to take the treatment of tuberculosis because it doesnot seen to be sure that she is having inflammation because of tb only to us. so just taking of the medicines and drops mentioned above will work??. all other reports are normal
Tue, 6 Nov 2012
Hello and welcome to HCM
Tuberculosis can affect any part of the body. This disease is not limited to lungs.
Tuberculosis can affect skin, kidney, bone and even the brain.
So, excluding retina just because you haven't heard about it ofeten does not rule out the possibility of ocular TB.
But of course the presence of tubersulosis has to be proven by certain tests.
In case of skin or any other organ which is easily accessible, a biopsy can be taken. Biopsy is the procedure in which a small bit of tissue is taken, processed, stained and studied ubder a microscope.
Viewing the organism/ bacteria causing the infection is the 100% proof of infection.
However, biopsy is not possible in ocular tuberculosis because of the delicate structures in the ete.
In such cases a test called 'polymerase chain reaction' or PCR can be performad.
This test is very sensitive and specific for tuberculosis.
So, ensure that a confirmatory test is done before labelling the disease to be tuberculosis.
Mantoux test is a very non-specific test.
It can be positive in cases of mere exposure to the organism.
The anti-tubercular treatment is a long treatment. The duration varies from 6-9 monthe to one and a half year.
A number of medicines are prescribed for the infection.
You should consult your physician / pulmonologist for correct category, correct dosage and correct duration of the medicines.
If you are in India, then you should know that treatment for tuberculosis is given free of cost at DOTS centres.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
Tuberculosis can affect any part of the body. This disease is not limited to lungs.
Tuberculosis can affect skin, kidney, bone and even the brain.
So, excluding retina just because you haven't heard about it ofeten does not rule out the possibility of ocular TB.
But of course the presence of tubersulosis has to be proven by certain tests.
In case of skin or any other organ which is easily accessible, a biopsy can be taken. Biopsy is the procedure in which a small bit of tissue is taken, processed, stained and studied ubder a microscope.
Viewing the organism/ bacteria causing the infection is the 100% proof of infection.
However, biopsy is not possible in ocular tuberculosis because of the delicate structures in the ete.
In such cases a test called 'polymerase chain reaction' or PCR can be performad.
This test is very sensitive and specific for tuberculosis.
So, ensure that a confirmatory test is done before labelling the disease to be tuberculosis.
Mantoux test is a very non-specific test.
It can be positive in cases of mere exposure to the organism.
The anti-tubercular treatment is a long treatment. The duration varies from 6-9 monthe to one and a half year.
A number of medicines are prescribed for the infection.
You should consult your physician / pulmonologist for correct category, correct dosage and correct duration of the medicines.
If you are in India, then you should know that treatment for tuberculosis is given free of cost at DOTS centres.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Mantoux test
Loading Online Doctors....