Tb In Thailand

[benjamat]

I read a little while ago that 30% of people in Thailand/SE Asia carry TB.

Now I know that TB is one of those deseases that manifests itself at various levels ranging from highly infectious to virtually none.

Can anyone tell me how these figures might break down and provide any explanation of the various levels.

Thank You.

Edited October 5, 2008 by benjamat

[mommysboy]

I read a little while ago that 30% of people in Thailand/SE Asia carry TB.

Now I know that TB is one of those deseases that manifests itself at various levels ranging from highly infectious to virtually none.

Can anyone tell me how these figures might break down and provide any explanation of the various levels.

Thank You.

OP - Stats and odds - you know what they're like !!!

But yes there are a lot more carriers than in Farangland that's for sure.

It's more about your own personal circumstances, and immune system. Generally, it takes prolonged contact to acquire TB bacteria. Then not all people develop the illness, those that do might just have mild to moderate symptoms. it becomes a very much more serious affair with people with weakened lungs, or a compromised immune system.

What's the story OP?

[Sheryl]

The figure cited in OP refers to people who have come into contact with the TB bacterium. This is not the same as the percenatge of people with the disease. Most people who contact the TB bactrium form an immune response which successfully keeps it in check (although it may flare up later if the immune system is weakened, e.g. by AIDs) and such persons are not infectious.

Even people with active tuberculosis are not infectious once they have been on medication a certain amount of time, usually 2 months or so. Infectivity can be determined by sputum tests.

It usually takes sustained close contact with a person with active, infectious pulmonary TB to contact the disease.

The best things to do to decrease your risk is to keep your immune system in good shape: avoid HIV and Hepatitis, ensure good nutrition, enough sleep, no smoking and don't drink in excess. Whiel these measures will not protect you 100% they will certainly reduce your risk -- of TB and many other diseases as well.

[benjamat]

Thanks for replies.

My motivation for the post was not really by way of a worry issue, my wife had to have the 6 month treatment for TB so I understand about the infection criteria.

I really just wanted confirmation or otherwise about the statistic of 30%

It does not seem an unreasonable figure if you think about the fact that the mojority of these will not be infectious, just carriers.

Maybe compare to the flu virus or perhaps herpes. ( 1 in 3 in USA carry herpes of one sort or another)

[zzdocxx]

I think it would be helpful to make a distinction between an "active carrier", who has active disease and who is infectious, and a "carrier" whose disease is "latent" or dormant and who is not infectious (eg. Benjamat's wife).

Somewhere in the range of 10 - 30% of people who get infected will progress to the active disease. As Sheryl has mentioned, people with compromised immune systems are more likely to progress to active disease -- especially those who are HIV+ but also including diabetics.

I think it bears repeating so that people don't get the wrong idea -- ie. paranoia about contact with Thai people. Personally, I tend to be wary of anyone who is coughing, no matter what their ethnicity.

[Dakhar]

I think it would be helpful to make a distinction between an "active carrier", who has active disease and who is infectious, and a "carrier" whose disease is "latent" or dormant and who is not infectious (eg. Benjamat's wife).

Somewhere in the range of 10 - 30% of people who get infected will progress to the active disease. As Sheryl has mentioned, people with compromised immune systems are more likely to progress to active disease -- especially those who are HIV+ but also including diabetics.

I think it bears repeating so that people don't get the wrong idea -- ie. paranoia about contact with Thai people. Personally, I tend to be wary of anyone who is coughing, no matter what their ethnicity.

I am one of the unlucky ones that contracted TB. The evidence appears to indicate that I got it from a "one time" contact. But evidently it was enough to get it.

The first 2 years after contracting TB are apparently the more dangerous years for developing active TB. In other words if you get beyond 2 years, odds are better than TB will never go in to active mode. I am almost past my first year. Psychologically it has taken about 6 months to accept that I will be fine.

Regardless of my situation:

The OPs wife took a 6 month treatment which is reserved for those with Latent form of TB. So what this boils down to, there never was any risk of transmitting TB to others, and nor will there ever be a risk after she has taken the 6 months treatment.... That is unless she is then exposed after the 6 month treatment... then the circle begins again.

[Mossfinn]

Even people with active tuberculosis are not infectious once they have been on medication a certain amount of time, usually 2 months or so. Infectivity can be determined by sputum tests.

I thought it was two weeks or so, from receiving proper treatment that TB is no longer infectious?

Moss

[benjamat]

For the purposes of uk visa this is what happens.

You fail skin test ( TB of one type or another is present)

You have Xrays.

You take sputum test ( this takes 8 weeks to culture)

They decide what you have.

Non infectious - 6 month course of treatment, followed by another 8 week sputum test.

Infectious - 8 month course of treatment followed by another 8 week sputum test.

Usually non infectious clear after 6 month treatment.

Not sure about results of infectious type after 8 month treatment.

So if you want to get a longer term visa and your wife or Gf fails the initial tests you will have to wait for at least 10 months before applying for visa while tests completed.

This was partially why I asked about prevalence of TB in thailand. If 30% of thai nationals carry one or the other does it mean that almost 1 in 3 thai ladies will have to take at least 10 months of tests and treatment before even applying for visa.

[Farma]

About 25 years ago I knew a group of 9 guys who married Thai ladies over a 1 year period.

During visa tests, 1 had to TB, 1 had Hepatitis, 2 had heart defects and 5 were healthy. 3 of the 4 were required to have the problems fixed prior to a visa being granted. The other was approved on condition she undertook medical treatment on arrival in the new country. All 9 Ladies ended up living in their new country.

There are a lot of factors at play here as this was a long time ago. Maybe the health system has improved now.

[benjamat]

About 25 years ago I knew a group of 9 guys who married Thai ladies over a 1 year period.

During visa tests, 1 had to TB, 1 had Hepatitis, 2 had heart defects and 5 were healthy. 3 of the 4 were required to have the problems fixed prior to a visa being granted. The other was approved on condition she undertook medical treatment on arrival in the new country. All 9 Ladies ended up living in their new country.

There are a lot of factors at play here as this was a long time ago. Maybe the health system has improved now.

New rules at the end of last year. And of course as with my wife eventually the visa can be obtained, its just an enormously long and very very stressfull process, especially for those who dont have infectious TB to begin with.

Edited October 9, 2008 by benjamat

[Mossfinn]

Not sure about results of infectious type after 8 month treatment.

I did 9 months of the treatment, however after this period if you have taken the meds as instructed there is a very good chance of beating the little buggers.

I believe only 5% are not 'cured' after treatment, but I will have to check the accuracy of this statement.

Good Luck

Moss

[Dakhar]

About 25 years ago I knew a group of 9 guys who married Thai ladies over a 1 year period.

During visa tests, 1 had to TB, 1 had Hepatitis, 2 had heart defects and 5 were healthy. 3 of the 4 were required to have the problems fixed prior to a visa being granted. The other was approved on condition she undertook medical treatment on arrival in the new country. All 9 Ladies ended up living in their new country.

There are a lot of factors at play here as this was a long time ago. Maybe the health system has improved now.

New rules at the end of last year. And of course as with my wife eventually the visa can be obtained, its just an enormously long and very very stressfull process, especially for those who dont have infectious TB to begin with.

Will they accept the new test "Quanti Feron Gold" over the skin test, because it is more specific to the actual harmful bacterium TB?

[benjamat]

Asked for Quanti Feron Gold test but they would not accept its use.

I O M, is the only authorised tester so no alternatives as far as UK visa is concerned.

[lioness]

Sidetracking from the main

A friend of mine got TB from an Elephant, she was working as a mahout, the Elephant died, she went through nearly 9 months of treatment.

[Mossfinn]

A lot of circus Elephants suffer with TB, nothing unusual about the 9 months treatment though, a shame about the Elephant

Moss

[benjamat]

I thought that was elephantitus

[Mossfinn]

Asked for Quanti Feron Gold test but they would not accept its use.

I O M, is the only authorised tester so no alternatives as far as UK visa is concerned.

Who would not accept its use? But you are right IOM are the only recognised body for a UK visa.

I thought that was elephantitus

The word elephantiasis is a vivid and accurate term for the syndrome it describes: the gross (visible) enlargement of the genitals to elephantoid size.

You should be so lucky

Good Luck

Moss

[benjamat]

Ha Ha Moss, not me, the mrs.

[Mossfinn]

Moss