May
Hi, my brother in hospital today, the nurses' states he might have TB.
He has been sick for weeks at home and his work.
What are the chances the rest of my family gets it?
And what can I do to prevent catching it?
Answer:
First of all, where do you live? Different countries have different ways of managing tuberculosis exposures. If your brother really does have TB and you live in the US, public health will be pretty aggressive in tracking and treating those who have been exposed.
If you've been around him a lot prior to his hospitalization, you will need to be tested for TB. It is a slow growing bacteria, so if you have already been exposed, you might not have symptoms for years - but it doesn't mean you’re in the clear. Infection can easily lead to disease over time, and you will be potentially exposing other people as well.
There’s really nothing you can do to prevent exposure after the fact, but you can take prophylactic treatment to keep the infection from progressing to disease. This will be VERY important for you and your family to do to protect everyone. Treatment consists of about 6 months of oral medications, sometimes longer. Be proactive and ask about testing and treatment yourself if it is not brought up in a timely manner by the hospital personnel. Don't be afraid - treatment is much easier if you begin it before the bacteria has a opportunity to start multiplying.
Answer:
Well at this point you've been exposed so you need to see a doctor and get tested as well. Sometimes TB is dormant so it's hard to know if you've got it. If you test positive he'll probably prescribe antibiotics to prevent dormant TB from devloping into active TB. TB can be contagious. As for the chances you'll contract it read the section on transmission:
TB is transferred through droplets so the chance of catching it depends on how many infectious droplets he expels when he coughs, ventilation and duration of exposure as well as the virulence of the particular TB strain.
Good luck and I hope your brother is ok.
Answer:
TB is very contagious. He should be wearing a mask. And just to be on the safe side, I would wear a mask to when you see him.
TB can travel like 15 feet in the air and is very resistant.
Your family should keep an eye on their health and if they notice any symptoms, they should let their physician know immedietly
Answer:
The hospital should arrange for everyone that's been in close contact to be tested. TB can be transmitted via airborne droplets when sufferers cough, sneeze, speak, kiss or spit. There's little you can do now except not get too close.
Answer:
If it is confirmed that he has TB, you and the rest of the family will probably be tested to see if you’ve acquired resistance to the bug. If it proves you are susceptible, you’ll have an injection to protect you.
Answer:
You should not breath the same air he breaths. Also see if they have some sort of vaccine for TB.
Answer:
Do what they do in Japan and wear a mask.