Tuberculosis?!

[mapiyu]

Ok, I know a gay porn forum isn't really the "right" place to talk about this, but I just thought I'd throw this out there in the hopes that any clinicians (or people with anecdotal experiences with TB) might chime in. I definitely do plan to see a doctor if my symptoms don't subside, but due to the situation I'm currently in, I really can't see a doctor for the next 2 or 3 weeks unless it's an emergency or I get much sicker.

Background:
Earlier this year I spent a few months traveling in a country with one of the highest incidence/prevalence rates of TB in the world. As if that weren't bad enough, I also spent a few days working in a clinic for HIV/TB patients. So I was definitely exposed.

Symptoms:
-Unexplained loss of appetite and weight loss. This has been going on for maybe around a month? I haven't lost a dramatic amount of weight, but I was already almost underweight to begin with, so even just losing 5 lbs seems alarming.
-Shortness of breath/tightness in my chest. This has been occurring for around 5-7 days. This morning I even felt a bit of pain in my chest/lungs that I've never experienced before. I don't feel congested, though. And I don't have any wheezing or other respiratory symptoms. I just can't breathe.
-No cough or other symptoms.

Is it possible/likely that I could have TB? Or am I just being paranoid?

Is it possible that latent TB be causing weight loss and shortness of breath even without a cough? I'm assuming I don't have active TB since I'm not coughing.

And if I don't have TB, what's wrong with me? I'd like to be able to breathe again.

This is really starting to stress me out, and there's not much I can do about it right now. And because I'm scared and because of my recent travel experiences, I can't be objective enough to know if I'm being paranoid or if I really do have something to worry about.

 

[Seiya174]

Well you are right about wanting to see a doctor, but having a cough (non-productive aka dry) is one of the main symptoms, and be on the lookout for night sweats. If you were in such a place, what are the chances that you picked up some kind of internal parasite? That would explain the weight loss, although not the loss of appetite...

Best of luck! Please see a doctor!

 

[KatTheGreat]

GO SEE A DOC!
Latent tuberculosis is asymptomatic. Early symptoms of active tuberculosis don't necessary include cough, but the person becomes contagious (spreading TB bacilli to people around them). This is why you should see a doc as soon as possible, especially if you also have a fever.
On the basis of the info that you provided, I assume you were somewhere in Africa, where there are many diseases that could cause symptoms that you described, e.g. fungal or parasitic disease.
It also difficult to assume anything, since I don't know where exactly were you, how long were you exposed, did you wear any protection, what is the state of your immune
system etc. etc.
Really, please go see a doc, no matter how busy are you. Many tropical diseases might be very dangerous and some of them don't take long to progress!!!
I wish you all the best and hope you feel better soon

 

[mapiyu]

Thanks everyone for the responses so far.

what are the chances that you picked up some kind of internal parasite? That would explain the weight loss, although not the loss of appetite...

Yeah, thanks for bringing that up. It's definitely possible that I could've contracted some parasite.

However, I kind of shrugged that off as a possibility because, besides the weight loss (which I know can also be caused by TB), I haven't really had any symptoms consistent with parasites like diarrhea or GI problems or anything. And of course parasites don't explain any respiratory problems.

 

[kallipolis]

Background:
Earlier this year I spent a few months traveling in a country with one of the highest incidence/prevalence rates of TB in the world. As if that weren't bad enough, I also spent a few days working in a clinic for HIV/TB patients. So I was definitely exposed.

.

Which country?

What was your work at the clinic?

Did you have any sexual contact with anyone during your travels?

 

[mapiyu]

Which country?

India.

What was your work at the clinic?

Just shadowing, basically. I didn't come into close contact with any patients. I didn't really get to do much, I was just kind of there.
The TB patients WERE undergoing treatment, but they were still coughing (a lot), so I don't know if they were contagious. None of the nurses or anyone (myself included) ever wore masks.
But honestly, India has so much TB in the general population that even just being at a crowded public place like a train station could put one at risk.

Did you have any sexual contact with anyone during your travels?

Nope.

 

[kallipolis]

If your symptoms do not abate over the next week then I recommend that you make an appointment with your physician soonest.

As a gut reaction (speaking as a cardiologist) I do not believe that you have contracted Tuberculosis.

 

[KatTheGreat]

If your symptoms do not abate over the next week then I recommend that you make an appointment with your physician soonest.

As a gut reaction (speaking as a cardiologist) I do not believe that you have contracted Tuberculosis.

^Couldn't agree more.

Also, not all parasites cause GI symptoms.

 

[KaraBulut]

I agree with kallipolis. TB is not a likely cause- certainly not this early. I'm actually surprised you didn't consider a BCG before your trip. If you return, you might want to think about it.

You can get a PPD or chest xray to put your mind at ease. Given your symptoms, you should see a doctor. Just mention your travels and recent weight loss.

 

[Telstra]

I can't help but the linked video might have some info:

http://www.sbs.com.au/insight/episode/index/id/386/Superbugs#watchonline