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How To Differentiate Between A Scar On The Lung And TB?
My husband had an accident in 1980 which left him with a scar on his lung. He has no applied for a work visa in Dubai and has been told that this scar indicates he had tb (which he has not had) he is going tomorrow for his SIXTH test for TB - the other 5 tests were negative. Is this normal practice?
Mon, 19 Dec 2016
Hello
I understand your worry.
I think that he is doing PPD test and sputum smear for tb bacillus.If PPD test is postive and sputum smear is negative no problem he is not contagious.Maybe he should take a preventive medication for 6 months than.In order to be sure for the scar in the lungs he might do a chest CT with contrast to evaluate better the lesion in the left lung.If sputum smear is positive he is contagious and should be under treatment for tb disease from a specialist.
Thank you
Dr.Jolanda
Pulmonologist
I understand your worry.
I think that he is doing PPD test and sputum smear for tb bacillus.If PPD test is postive and sputum smear is negative no problem he is not contagious.Maybe he should take a preventive medication for 6 months than.In order to be sure for the scar in the lungs he might do a chest CT with contrast to evaluate better the lesion in the left lung.If sputum smear is positive he is contagious and should be under treatment for tb disease from a specialist.
Thank you
Dr.Jolanda
Pulmonologist
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