help! TB patient

CHATSDALE · Mar 28, 2008

tb is not as easily transferred as once througt

i don't believe that you have anything to worry about

you will find many time when you are 'exposed'

just remember all the nurses who have survived to retire in good health

azor · Mar 28, 2008

Why do you have to rush into the room forgetting the thoughts you are putting yourself into now?Anyway,you don't worry so much cos you dont get TB like that at the flip of your finger.You just have to be careful for next time ok.You need to take care of yourself so that you can take care of others.

nyapa, RN · Mar 28, 2008

You could ask for prophylactic treatment though if you are concerned. Talk to the people who monitor staff for infectious diseases, and see what the recommendation is...

zamboni · Mar 28, 2008

I've been exposed to more TB positive patients than I can count over the years (EMS, ER, correctional), and I'm still negative. Some folks were later diagnosed, and I'm sure many (at the jail particularly) were missed. Most of these patients were close contact and for more than just a minute of time.

I really wouldn't sweat it. Talk to your ID folks if you're that worried.

aeauooo · Mar 28, 2008

Several years ago I took care of a patient for a couple of weeks. He died, and an autopsy was performed - he had active TB. We didn't know he had TB, and so absoultely no precautions were taken. I've also worked in Africa where I'm sure I was exposed, but I'm still ppd negative.

Don't worry about it, it's not that easy to get TB.

I'll never shave my beard off for that reason!

aeauooo · Mar 28, 2008

You could ask for prophylactic treatment though if you are concerned.

There are protocols for who should receive post-exposure prophylaxis. Anti-TB drugs are toxic, so the rules are fairly stringent. Check the CDC website (www.cdc.gov - the best source for information about TB, IMO), specifically, the Core Curriculum on Tuberculosis.