Tuberculosis

[Couthy]

Hi All,

What a year - ###### near get blown up at Victory Monument on New Year's Eve, and now?.

Ms C has TB.

I was on a work swan around Laos for a week and knew that she was bit off colour when leaving.

She had a bit of a dry cough and duly hit Bangkok Christian Hospital last Saturday.

They did the skin test which proved positive and an x-ray showed spotting on the lung.

Bangkok Chest Hospital (luckily a 5 minute walk from here) did the sputum tests and they have to be carried out for a few more days and it was confirmed that she has 'inactive' TB - however, my understanding is that the sputum tests are carried out over a period of a few days to actually confirm 'contagious' or 'non contagious'.

As a kid she was inoculated, lives a very healthy and active life style and eats well (and healthily).

As she is a 24 year old Engineer from a super 'clean' and healthy Chinese/Thai family I am somewhat surprised.

I took today's sputum sample across for her and am told in NO UNCERTAIN TERMS to be there 7am tomorrow so they can start on me.

I thought that TB had been more or less eradicated in Thailand and whilst I have been here for 14 years, with only a 2 year break back in the UK, it still comes as a surprise.

Anyone out there got any specifics on TB in Thailand and personal experience(s)?.

Strangely though, some months ago after a six week stay in a very country area here (work), I developed a right cough and fever and was told in hospital that it was a parasitical infection and was treated as such.

Hmmm.........I will reveal all as it becomes apparent.

And have been told to stay very far from work just at the mo' - still get paid though.

You don't think in terms of educated, medically aware Thai folks getting TB these days do you?.

My Mum was in a sanitorium in 1938 for six months with it and her younger sister died from the same complaint.

(Crap housing conditions that Govan shipyard workers families had to live in in those times).

Thoughts?.

[lomatopo]

I think it's a huge problem here, there was an article in The Nation on 12 Jan 2007.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/12...al_30023929.php

HEALTH THREAT

Alarm over rising cost from new TB cases

About 90,000 cases a year, with 12,000 deaths; WHO rates Thai treatment poorly

Tuberculosis (TB) has become an alarming health threat to the country, with the number of new cases continuing to rise and the government's treatment programme unable to cope.

Dr Somchai Pinyopornpaitch, deputy director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said incidences of the disease had risen for several years regardless of how hard health officials had worked.

A higher number of new TB cases has been reported each year, while the results of the TB treatment programme remained well below the target and world standards, Somchai said.

New cases of TB now stand at about 50 per 100,000 people, or about 90,000 cases a year, and the rate of successful treatment is still far below the World Health Organisation's standard of 85 per cent.

Each year at least 12,000 people die of TB. As a result, Thailand is grouped in with the 22 "high-burden countries", Somchai said. He said it was highly worrying that Thailand was ranked alongside such impoverished countries as Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Uganda and Cambodia, which had much lower hygiene standards.

"This shows there must be some reason why we are being held back from beating this disease," Somchai said, adding that he believed the official figures were just "the tip of the iceberg".

HIV infection, a higher rate of population movement caused by economic growth and a growing intake of migrant workers are blamed for the spread of TB.

As treatment takes about six months to complete, many patients find they must move to other areas for work and lose touch with their medical caregivers, leaving their treatment unfinished, Somchai said.

TB expert Dr Daranee Viryakijja said 15 per cent of new TB cases involved HIV infections. It is well known that TB speeds up the onset of Aids and results in a higher mortality rate.

Active screening for new cases and expanding the treatment network to follow up on patients to ensure they finish their medical courses are key to fighting the disease.

Meanwhile, Thammasat University research indicates that global warming is contributing to an unseasonal rise in cholera outbreaks. A half a degree rise in temperature appeared to be causing cholera outbreaks throughout the year.

Arthit Khwankhom

The Nation

Tuberculosis in Thailand

90,607: Estimated incidence (all new cases) (2004)

142: Estimated Incidence (all new casesper 100,000 population) (2004)

63: Estimated Incidence (new sputum smear positive [ss+] per 100,000 population) (2004)

208 Estimated Prevalence (per 100,000 population, incl HIV-positive) (2004)

19: TB mortality (per 100,000, population, incl HIV-positive) (2004)

8.5:% of adult (15-49) TB cases HIV-positive (2004)

0.9:% of new cases multi-drug resistant (2004)

100: DOTS population coverage (%) (2004)

71: DOTS detection rate (new ss+, %) (2004)

73: DOTS treatment success (new ss+, %) (2003)

GlobalHealthReporting.org

Tuberculosis | Growing Number of TB Cases Continuing Challenge for Thai Government

[Jan 12, 2007]

The increasing number of tuberculosis cases detected annually in Thailand is an ongoing challenge for the government, the Nation reports. According to Somchai Pinyopornpaitch, deputy director-general of the Department of Disease Control, TB cases have increased for several years despite health officials' efforts. TB incidence in Thailand is currently 50 per 100,000 people, with 90,000 new cases annually, and the treatment success rate is well below the World Health Organization's recommendation of 85%, according to the Nation. Thailand is one of the 22 countries with the world's highest TB burden, with 12,000 TB deaths reported annually, Somchai said. He expressed concern that Thailand was ranked alongside developing countries such as Cambodia, Mozambique, Uganda and Zimbabwe that have lower hygiene standards. The HIV/AIDS epidemic, increased rates of migration because of economic growth and an influx of migrant workers are factors fueling the spread of TB, according to the Nation. Daranee Viryakijja, a TB expert, said 15% of new TB cases occurred among HIV-positive people. Somchai also said many people with TB do not complete treatment because they move to other regions to find work. Combating TB requires active screening for new cases and widening the treatment network to monitor patients to ensure that they complete treatment, the Nation reports (Arthit, Nation, 1/12).

Edited January 24, 2007 by lomatopo

[khall64au]

Helping out a friend with TB here on Phuket I was alerted to a ward of (30+ women, in a one-month period) with the disease.

TB is rampant in Thailand - and across the world- but receives very little media. Why????

[Sheryl]

Yes, there is a lot of TB although it is more common among people who are HIV + or poorly nourished.

2 things:

(1) As I gather the sputum test was negative, it might be wise to consult an infectious disease specialist just to rule out other possible causes for the lesions seen on Xray. There are some parasitic infections of the lung which can create an appearance in Xray similiar to TB. Also, a positive skin test doesn't mean as much in persons who received the BCG immunization as a child.

The hospital may well be right in their diagnosis but you should make really sure since (i) TB treatment involved 6 months or more of fairly unpleasant drugs and (ii) she won't respond if what she actually has is something else. Hense it would be worth getting a second opinion from an ID specialist even if it means a long tripo to BKK (don't know where you live)

(2) if other causes are ruled out and it is confirmed as TB, then essential to have an HIV test. TB is often the first sign of impending AIDs because many people in South East Asia have latent TB which flares up as soon as their T cells start to decrease, well before the other "opportunistic"infections set in.

[Couthy]

Yes, there is a lot of TB although it is more common among people who are HIV + or poorly nourished.

2 things:

(1) As I gather the sputum test was negative, it might be wise to consult an infectious disease specialist just to rule out other possible causes for the lesions seen on Xray. There are some parasitic infections of the lung which can create an appearance in Xray similiar to TB. Also, a positive skin test doesn't mean as much in persons who received the BCG immunization as a child.

The hospital may well be right in their diagnosis but you should make really sure since (i) TB treatment involved 6 months or more of fairly unpleasant drugs and (ii) she won't respond if what she actually has is something else. Hense it would be worth getting a second opinion from an ID specialist even if it means a long tripo to BKK (don't know where you live)

(2) if other causes are ruled out and it is confirmed as TB, then essential to have an HIV test. TB is often the first sign of impending AIDs because many people in South East Asia have latent TB which flares up as soon as their T cells start to decrease, well before the other "opportunistic"infections set in.

Hi,

Thanks for the input!.

We are not HIV - in my case due to work am regularly tested and have been so for years and Ms C has had a succession of tests over the past three years after a bad experience with a boyfriend

who was a bit of a butterfly.

Her first reaction on getting a cough was to have an immediate test for HIV - it was negative.

She is diagnosed with TB and my skin and sputum tests proved negative.

Tomorrow (Saturday) she will be told if inactive or contagious but has to begin the treatment anyway which is to take 6 months.

As an aside, the Bangkok Chest Hospital, Phahanyothin Road run a stop smoking clinic on Wednesdays - I know cos' they gave me a right lecture for being a smoker!.

I'm on a different computer at the moment but will upload a pic of the tuberculosis unit there and directions if anyone needs them tomorrow after we have got Ms C sorted out.

Re the parasitical lung thing - yes I know about that ; It was the Tropical Medicine Hospital that I attended in Ratchawithi. (Also extremely professional, inexpensive and informative).

We are in BKK.

Worst I ever had in twenty odd years of going to 'interersting' places in SE Asia were hookworm and dengue fever - luckily not at the same time!.

The numbers of TB sufferers in Thailand according to the Doc I spoke with are vastly downplayed

and as he rightly pointed out,'Why no eradication program like Europe 50 years ago?".

I think we know the answer to that without moving our lips.....................

Thanks,

Couthy.

[Mossfinn]

Hi Couthy,

As you requested personal experiences of TB I will relate mine, as I am in the final stages of recovery that can take up to a year, maybe more.

I was ill, weak, tired and breathless with a dry cough and generally feeling under the weather, thinking I was suffering from a bad cold or flu I persevered.

In the end I took a week off to try and recover, this hardly worked as I began falling asleep at work when I returned, I finally decided after a couple of months! to see a Doctor.

Who immediately diagnosed Pneumonia, put me on an antibiotic, slowly got worse over the week and rang an emergency Doc on the Friday night and changed the meds.

Got to see my Doc Monday morning whilst being violently ill in the waiting room, rushed to the emergency ward ( JR11 )

After a day and night, taken to the specialist ward of another hospital ( Churchill )

Battery of tests, after battery of tests, whilst the Docs got increasingly concerned, the reason being that I had passed all TB tests in the months previous including the Mantoux test, meant to be pretty reliable. These tests were for a new trial of a drug on the market, for something else.

As it was a dry cough, they could not cultivate a specimen or culture.

They were all considering TB but could not understand why I passed all the tests, except that some of my other meds could mask the real problem.

I finally coughed up a specimen, and they grew a culture, much to my relief as they were about to do an endoscope?? a scrape of the lung.

My main point is, as long as it is diagnosed there is a full recovery programme, with a range of meds over a six month period, I am not sure of the treatment and specialist help in Thailand, but I got fantastic help here in Oxford.

There are three types of TB I believe, the Brain, menoccoccal? the blood, leucaemic? and Pulmonary, the lungs, which is quite severe but the best of the three, if that is not an oxymoron.

I am making a full recovery even if I did lose about 3 stone in weight, 3 stone that I could hardly lose, am only just putting weight back on now, 11 months after diagnosis.

She will need plenty of TLC and the need to understand that she will be pretty limited in being to do the things that she is used to doing, as even going up stairs will tire her out.

But please be aware that with the right treatment she will make a great recovery, possible problems with bronchial problems in the future, so stop smoking now!!

Sorry for the essay, just wanted to reassure you.

By the way, they are still unsure of how I caught it, they said I was too long out of Thailand to have caught it there and maybe caught it by walking thru a cough or a sneeeze of an infected person.

Or I might have had latent TB and the tests I had had months earlier for the trial treatment may have spurred it, they just don't know.

The one thing to remember it is quite hard to catch TB, you have to be in a room with somebody infected for quite some time or be in close contact over a period of time, I am sure there are other ways I just don't know them.

More importantly you have to have a lowered immunity threshold for it to take hold.

As for being eradicated in the UK, it almost was, but is on the increase due in a large part of the influx of Eastern Europeans where it is much nore prevalent.

My advise for others, don't self-diagnose, get yourself checked out, before your whole lung packs up.

Good Luck.

Moss

[Couthy]

Hi Moss,

Thanks for the info- I used to stay right beside Churchill hospital!.

(Valentia Road)

No- I have done no self diagnosis at all : TB is a killer and as mentioned in my earlier post, my Mum spent a long time in a TB hospital as a teenager and indeed her younger sister died from it.

My lot here kinda freaked when they got the news, and Ms C is banned from visiting the premises until rehabilitation is complete.

There are reasons for this and they are reasonable - we spend a lot of time in various parts of the country where people are frequently malnourished and certainly don't have the immunity to various illnesses that we can count ourselves lucky on - ergo no potential of transmission.

Everyone here in the office is going through the screening process as a matter of caution although it is extremely unlikely that anyone could have been infected as Ms C doesn't like my lot and they don't like her and avoid each other like the plague. (Pun not intended).

Great: Being the only foreigner in the middle of a bunch of educated and astute, hard working Thais who decide on some unofficial war......................Ho-Hum.

And her firm sacked her!.

A German engineering company by the way. Doing what she did she could just as easily work from home as it is technical work via mail and international buying.

What a bunch of swine -(pun intended).

Oh - she got sacked because she fronted up and told them the truth about the TB test - no other reason.

Now, I actually like Germany and German people and love German food. But, perchance today after a bit of Saeng Som I may get into "liberating a Lancaster mode".

He-he, as an ex Shackleton pilot I reckon I can handle a Lanc.

I will update on the progress of the drugs on her.

Thanks,

Couthy.

[sumrit]

Hi Couthy, here's another experience of TB. About 13 years ago a Thai girl who had come to the UK with our company for training was diagnosed with TB whilst in the UK. I was tested and the results were negative. However about 1 month later and after a trip to Thailand I started to feel ill with what I thought was flu. When it didn't clear up after about 3 weeks I went to the doctor who started to do tests for maleria and any other disease he could find in his book on tropical diseases (he ignored TB because my test had been negative). All came back negative. After another 2 months I'd had enough, the symtoms I had were I felt weak all the time, night sweats,aching joints, feeling really exhausted as soon as I did anything and I'd lost about 3 stone in weight. The sweats and exhaustion were the worst, even going up the stairs became a real effort so in the end, with my doctor not seeming to be doing much, I got a friend to take me to the local casualty dept and say he'd found me collapsed on the floor (when I'd tried going there before just saying I felt ill they wouldn't see me, they told me I had to go back to my GP). This time they Xrayed me and diagnosed TB within half an hour. I'd had a TB jab at school as a kid but they told me those jab were only about 80% efficient. The doctors put me on a 6 month course of antibiotics and after taking them for just 2-3 days I felt great, still weak but feeling good for the first time for 3 months. I still got exhausted very easily, even doing the simplist of tasks, and those symtoms lasted for well over a year but gradually improved, although even now I still get out of breath easily. It's most important to finish the full course of medication and not stop when you feel OK. Apparently stopping the treatment early is what causes the disease to mutate and then it becomes much more difficult to treat. By the way the company paid for the Thai girls treatment and she made a full recovery.

Edited January 27, 2007 by sumrit

[Mossfinn]

Hi Moss,

Thanks for the info- I used to stay right beside Churchill hospital!.

(Valentia Road)

Wow, small world.

No- I have done no self diagnosis at all : TB is a killer and as mentioned in my earlier post, my Mum spent a long time in a TB hospital as a teenager and indeed her younger sister died from it.

My lot here kinda freaked when they got the news, and Ms C is banned from visiting the premises until rehabilitation is complete.

There are reasons for this and they are reasonable - we spend a lot of time in various parts of the country where people are frequently malnourished and certainly don't have the immunity to various illnesses that we can count ourselves lucky on - ergo no potential of transmission.

Similarly, they all got panicky at work, but not half as much as the Irish, the Uncles and Aunts etc all rembered this as the Killer disease of earlier times

Everyone here in the office is going through the screening process as a matter of caution although it is extremely unlikely that anyone could have been infected as Ms C doesn't like my lot and they don't like her and avoid each other like the plague. (Pun not intended).

Great: Being the only foreigner in the middle of a bunch of educated and astute, hard working Thais who decide on some unofficial war......................Ho-Hum.

And her firm sacked her!. Unbelievable!

A German engineering company by the way. Doing what she did she could just as easily work from home as it is technical work via mail and international buying.

What a bunch of swine -(pun intended). Quite a restrained adjective, if I might say, under the circumstances

Oh - she got sacked because she fronted up and told them the truth about the TB test - no other reason.

Now, I actually like Germany and German people and love German food. But, perchance today after a bit of Saeng Som I may get into "liberating a Lancaster mode".

He-he, as an ex Shackleton pilot I reckon I can haI would to heandle a Lanc. I can already hear the theme from 633 squadron

I will update on the progress of the drugs on her. I would like to hear that, thanks

Thanks,

Couthy.

Good Luck

Moss

[davidjtayler]

Very interesting topic.

As you know Moss I used to work at the JR in the micro labs on level 7 and it was our job to diagnose and grow Mycobacterium (which causes TB) for the Oxford area.

I left the lab in 93 but even then TB was evidently on the increase mainly due to the diminished immunizing programmes (people had developed a false sense of security as the incidence of TB became rarer and rarer), misuse of antibiotics and the increasing spectre of HIV/AIDS.

We were definately seeing not only an increase in the incidence of different types of TB but also more multi resistant strains ... the warning bells were ringing.

This is definately a global problem and as sumrit said, couthy, make sure your wife takes the full course of antibiotics and not finish taking them early even if the symptoms abate ... this is very important as the bacteria can still survive in the system long after the symtoms have disappeared ... finish the full course of antiobiotics.

Good luck to you and your wife.

DJT

[Mossfinn]

Very interesting topic.

As you know Moss I used to work at the JR in the micro labs on level 7 and it was our job to diagnose and grow Mycobacterium (which causes TB) for the Oxford area.

I left the lab in 93 but even then TB was evidently on the increase mainly due to the diminished immunizing programmes (people had developed a false sense of security as the incidence of TB became rarer and rarer), misuse of antibiotics and the increasing spectre of HIV/AIDS.

We were definately seeing not only an increase in the incidence of different types of TB but also more multi resistant strains ... the warning bells were ringing.

This is definately a global problem and as sumrit said, couthy, make sure your wife takes the full course of antibiotics and not finish taking them early even if the symptoms abate ... this is very important as the bacteria can still survive in the system long after the symtoms have disappeared ... finish the full course of antiobiotics.

Good luck to you and your wife.

DJT

Well I knew you worked at the JR DT, but not that particular department.

Have ever known anyone pass both blood and Mantoux tests and still have contracted TB?

Your last paragraph is an absolute, the full course must be taken, even if you start to feel much better.

DT, you are probably aware then, that certain areas of the country, Oxford was one, that they decided it was more cost effective to treat rather than prevent.

Hense, another reason for the increase, wait till it hits and then treat, rather than continue with mass BCG vac's, scandalous really.

Good Luck

Moss

[davidjtayler]

Very interesting topic.

As you know Moss I used to work at the JR in the micro labs on level 7 and it was our job to diagnose and grow Mycobacterium (which causes TB) for the Oxford area.

I left the lab in 93 but even then TB was evidently on the increase mainly due to the diminished immunizing programmes (people had developed a false sense of security as the incidence of TB became rarer and rarer), misuse of antibiotics and the increasing spectre of HIV/AIDS.

We were definately seeing not only an increase in the incidence of different types of TB but also more multi resistant strains ... the warning bells were ringing.

This is definately a global problem and as sumrit said, couthy, make sure your wife takes the full course of antibiotics and not finish taking them early even if the symptoms abate ... this is very important as the bacteria can still survive in the system long after the symtoms have disappeared ... finish the full course of antiobiotics.

Good luck to you and your wife.

DJT

Well I knew you worked at the JR DT, but not that particular department.

Have ever known anyone pass both blood and Mantoux tests and still have contracted TB?

Your last paragraph is an absolute, the full course must be taken, even if you start to feel much better.

DT, you are probably aware then, that certain areas of the country, Oxford was one, that they decided it was more cost effective to treat rather than prevent.

Hense, another reason for the increase, wait till it hits and then treat, rather than continue with mass BCG vac's, scandalous really.

Good Luck

Moss

Interesting question there Moss.

As the Mantoux test usually took 2/3 days we had nearly always received the sputum samples before the Mantoux result and they would already be in our 'system' so it wasn't of great diagnostic use to us in the lab.

Culturing TB is a laborious process as the majority of TB strains are very slow growing so we relied on microscopy diagnosis as the most rapid method of detection.

Regarding positive diagnoses, usually the doctor on the ward or in the practise would already be suspecting TB in their patient from their symptoms and start treatment immediately and accordingly (hopefully after obtaining sputum samples for us).

In these cases diagnoses was pretty cut and dried and very quick in conjunction with positive microscopy results from us.

The vast majority of samples were of course negative but there were for sure cases of positive microscopies and positive cultures (which could take up to 9 weeks to appear) with negative microscopies that the Doctor hadn't detected by either symptoms or Mantoux test.

Because of this risk all sputum work took place in a special room with special exhaust cabinets.

I didn't know about the non immunization policy in the Oxfored area but if indeed correct, scandalous would be too light a word in my book.

Stay healthy Moss.

DJT

Edited January 27, 2007 by davidjtayler

[Couthy]

Well,

Thanks everyone for your input - Moss & DJ especially.

You have to laugh - where I work (and sometimes live if too bone idle to get back across town), somebody told somebody who told somebody..........................

I believe that if Ms C even appears at the end of the Soi there will be a large banner proclaiming "Unclean".

Now that would be fun, given Ms C's ability to verbally skin a rabid pit bull terrier at 20 yards.

She is now on the program and has decided that a certain German company are on her future list of things to do.

Reparations should be made as soon as poss..............................

More as it progresses - and here's me thought drinking a bit much was dangerous!.

Couthy.

[Prakanong]

Helping out a friend with TB here on Phuket I was alerted to a ward of (30+ women, in a one-month period) with the disease.

TB is rampant in Thailand - and across the world- but receives very little media. Why????

I can assure you it gets lots of media - I have seen articles on CNN about the USA etc and remember loads in the British press.

The company i am at is working on a new vaccine as the demand will be so high for it - drug resistant strain

[MiG16]

couthy and ms c...nothing i can add on the TB front, but im shocked to hear about the company. was she a full time employee? there should be things you can....they cant simply just fire her like that

and despite what many farangs say there are laws in thailand that do offer some basic protection to employees

provided she was a full time employee?

[Sheryl]

Yes, I think she can and most importantly SHOULD pursue legal redress. The company will probably settle out of court rather than risk the bad publicity. In addition to getting compensation for her lost wages etc, you'll have made it less likely that they will do this to the next person. And if it does go to court, the publicity will help raise people's awareness about TB.

TB is (1) not that easily caught; (2) completely curable; and (3) infectious only in the early phase of treatment when there are still bacilli in the sputum. Patients usually cease to be infective after just 2-3 months of therapy, and infectivity can readily be ascertained through a sputum smear.

A reasonable course of action would be for an employer to require the person to either take leave (sick leave/disability leave/unpaid leave depending on entitlement) or work from home (as applicable) until no longer infectious. There is NO valid reason on earth to permanently fire someone for having had TB.

Get a lawyer and go for it. This is an issue of basic human rights.

[MiG16]

very true above. and for info..usually labour courts in thailand tend to side more with employees rather than employers. atleast thats what I was told by a lawyer friend....and considering what sheryl said above it makes sense....hence another reason why companies tend to settle out of court..(not just the bad publicity)

you might not even need a lawyer to start with...so that you dont have to incur additional cost. but if you have some lawyer friends, it would be handy to consult them, so that when u talk to the company they know that you know your facts that is often enough to make them sit down to negotiate.

[seonai]

I can't believe I just stumbled across this thread! I was diagnosed with TB in Thailand last year and went through all the hellish symptoms the others have mentioned here. Absolute hel_l.

I disagree that the media gives it enough coverage and that's one of the only things that keeps me sane right now - planning how I can help raise awareness of this awful disease.

Prakanong can you tell me a little more about the vaccine please? Are you in a UK-based lab? Britain has just stopped giving the BSG vaccine out in schools and there are an estimated 8,200 known cases of TB here right now.

One thing to get clear as well is this 'unclean' stuff. ANYONE from any social status can get TB and it's on the rise. Oh and apparently one third of the world's population actually carry the latent bacteria.

[Mossfinn]

One thing to get clear as well is this 'unclean' stuff. ANYONE from any social status can get TB and it's on the rise. Oh and apparently one third of the world's population actually carry the latent bacteria.

Did you post some time ago seonai, regarding a bad illness, that caused you to be off the forum for sometime and were very grateful for the help of some friends?

I seem to remember the thread, although I did not realize it was TB you had contracted.

You are right though, this concept of the desease being a 'dirty illness', is wholly incorrect, I live in Oxford, and that cannot be classed as 'Second' World let alone Third or Developing in any sense.

As for being latent, they think this is how I caught it, with lower immunity and something that reduced my ability to fight and bang over I went.

It is incredibly debilitating, I was crashed out for months and am still not right after almost a year.

I hope you are recovering/recovered and I wish you well.

Good Luck

Moss

Edited February 2, 2007 by Mossfinn

[tutsiwarrior]

I tested positive for TB when a teenager in 1965 but the virus was not active...I have since had chronic bronchitis, pneumonia and ahsma...wonder if they are all related? The illnesses have all gone away, but now in decline as an alcoholic, diabetic middle aged wastrel WHO CANNOT FIND SMOKELESS TOBACCO AND IS REDUCED TO 2 PACKS OB MARLBOROS PER DAY what could one expect, other than lung cancer if, in fact, the TB virus is still in place?

where is my sputum cup...?

[seonai]

Yes Moss it was me who posted a while back about being ill. Please feel free to PM me for my phone number while I'm here, I'm in south London. We coud meet up. Would you be willing to talk about your experiences of TB? Because I've started writing for a charity to raise awareness of the disease and they'd love to hear from sufferers.

I am still having trouble as the TB made a huge 'hole' or cavity in one of my lungs. Seeing a really top guy for a second opinion next month. Yuck! I am actually quite down about it all mentally cos it's knocked the stuffing out of me. Keep in touch please.

Seonai

[Mossfinn]

Wow, seonai, I thought I had it bad, but I only have on-going problems with cough/bronchitis and shortness of breath, as far as I know I have no holes knocked out of my lung.

Yes I would like to contribute to charity if I can help in a small way.

I had a peculiar medical history to my TB, as I passed all the tests for it, because of this they were bus-loading in students from all over the place, just to examine me

A little bit of an exageration, but uncommon to say the least, I will PM later.

Good Luck

Moss

[Couthy]

very true above. and for info..usually labour courts in thailand tend to side more with employees rather than employers. atleast thats what I was told by a lawyer friend....and considering what sheryl said above it makes sense....hence another reason why companies tend to settle out of court..(not just the bad publicity)

you might not even need a lawyer to start with...so that you dont have to incur additional cost. but if you have some lawyer friends, it would be handy to consult them, so that when u talk to the company they know that you know your facts that is often enough to make them sit down to negotiate.

Thanks folks,

Ms C is back at work effective from Monday.

I belive this entailed a number of things : Letter from Doctor. Phone calls from her Father. (Old style Thonburi Chinese businessman) and a general Ms C attitude failure. (To be seen to be believed).

And it is agreed that as salaried employee she will not be docked any pay.

Personally, I am amazed and have been for years about the lack of knowledge within the general population about illnesses and the ignorance of the various illnesses that people do and will catch.

I am thin - always have been, always will be - at my 6 monthly pilot medicals a Doc told me it was because I had a 'High metabolic rate' but my Body Mass Index was more or less right in the centre of the graph.

Compare this to the reaction of a fat old tart who used to stay in the same place as me, (in BKK) who put it around that I had AIDS because I was skinny!.

It was quite poetic that she developed HIV and I assume is dead now.

However, I said nothing to her vis a vis her logic.

I blame it on the educational system - people are not encouraged to source info.

And we know why that is don't we?.

[Mossfinn]

Ms C is back at work effective from Monday.

It was quite poetic that she developed HIV and I assume is dead now.

However, I said nothing to her vis a vis her logic.

Well Done Ms C, I actually thought that was a lost cause, but well done for bucking the system against intolerance, prejudice and downright ignorance.

Mr C, a little bit harsh don't you think, one bad turn doesn't always deserve another.

Good Luck

Moss

[Couthy]

Ms C is back at work effective from Monday.

It was quite poetic that she developed HIV and I assume is dead now.

However, I said nothing to her vis a vis her logic.

Well Done Ms C, I actually thought that was a lost cause, but well done for bucking the system against intolerance, prejudice and downright ignorance.

Mr C, a little bit harsh don't you think, one bad turn doesn't always deserve another.

Good Luck

Moss

Hi Moss,

When Ms C gets going strong men quake and tigers head for dem' hlls!.

Maybe I wasn't quite clear about the woman who developed HIV: What I meant to say was that I did not point out the fact to her that she probably got it from working as a tart in the Grace Hotel coffee shop.

She had my every sympathy and I held my tongue over her previous comments to me regarding being scrawny.

Goodness, where I used to live in BKK the locals were dropping like flies around 95 -96 from the virus.

It really was an eye opener.

Got well used to attending Wat Makkasan for the funerals.

Cheers.