Tuberculosis

[ddoff]

Got a bad news yesterday – my former girlfriend who is in the States was diagnosed with tuberculosis. My initial reaction was to rush to the hospital for tests, but then I recalled that in some countries foreigners with infectious diseases such as HIV or TB could face deportation. Anyone knows what is the Thai policy on that ? (I’m on a tourist visa.)

BTW Looks like Tb is popular topic here.

[benjamat]

Got a bad news yesterday – my former girlfriend who is in the States was diagnosed with tuberculosis. My initial reaction was to rush to the hospital for tests, but then I recalled that in some countries foreigners with infectious diseases such as HIV or TB could face deportation. Anyone knows what is the Thai policy on that ? (I'm on a tourist visa.)

BTW Looks like Tb is popular topic here.

Not aware that this can happen, you pay for your own treatment in thailand. Just get the test done. There are no special restrictions on a tourist visa just length of stay and no work.

[Dakhar]

Got a bad news yesterday – my former girlfriend who is in the States was diagnosed with tuberculosis. My initial reaction was to rush to the hospital for tests, but then I recalled that in some countries foreigners with infectious diseases such as HIV or TB could face deportation. Anyone knows what is the Thai policy on that ? (I'm on a tourist visa.)

BTW Looks like Tb is popular topic here.

Not aware that this can happen, you pay for your own treatment in thailand. Just get the test done. There are no special restrictions on a tourist visa just length of stay and no work.

Does your former girlfriend have latent TB(LTB) or active TB. There is a big difference. If a person has LTB, they are not sick, but they carry the bacteria in the body, and luckily (for the moment) the body has supressed the bacteria from harming the host. The host carries on every day life like there is nothing wrong and can not pass the bacteria on to others, while in this state.

A person with LTB will test positive for TB. A person that has been vacinated for TB, but does not have TB will also test positve for TB. For those that have been vacinated for TB, the only test to find out if they have the REAL form of TB is a test called the Quanti Feron Gold. If your gf takes that test and is positive then she for sure has TB. But she could be healthy (like me) and just carry the disease. I am not thrilled to think that I have a time bomb in me, but the fact of the matter is, 30% of the worlds population are LTB positive. 10% of LTB people will one day come down with Active TB & that is when some very harsh medications need to be taken to save a persons life. (9 months)

Those with LTB may want to strongly consider taking a drug called INH for 6 months to decrease the chances that they will ever contract Active TB.

I can not take the drugs, because my liver is allergic to the meds. Keeping that in mind, if she does decide to take the meds have her closely monitored.

OK this was a lot of info, but trust me there is a lot more on the net regarding this.

[benjamat]

If you do a search on TB or tuberculosis in this forum you will see much more info.