Tuberculosis in Pregnancyby Pattie Hughes | More from this Blogger 22 Feb 2009 08:49 PM Tuberculosis is an infection caused by a bacteria known as mycobacterium tuberculosis. In most cases of active TB, the lungs are affected with pneumonia symptoms including fever, chronic cough and weight loss. Worldwide, it is estimated that over two million people have been infected with tuberculosis. In general, there appears to be a lack of awareness about tuberculosis, particularly among women most at risk. Studies in the US and UK have found minority, mostly immigrant, women are most at risk of testing positive for tuberculosis during pregnancy. Diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis is essential for preventing complications for mother and baby. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the risk of leaving TB untreated exceeds any risk associated with medicines commonly used for the treatment of tuberculosis. The tuberculosis skin test used for TB screening is safe and effective for use during pregnancy. The test involves a small needle inserted into the inner forearm. You will need to return to the doctor's office in about two days to have the results read. If the test shows a positive result, further testing will be done to confirm the result. These may include chest x rays and blood tests. Treatment will depend on whether the woman has active TB or merely has a positive skin test. A positive skin test indicates that the person has been exposed to TB, but not whether they have had, or will have, active TB. Only about ten percent of people exposed to TB will have the active disease. The others will remain positive, but there is no real risk during pregnancy. A few different drugs are used in the treatment of tuberculosis. Some are considered safe and others should be avoided during pregnancy. Your doctor is a good source of information for selecting the safest course of treatment during pregnancy. The CDC has streptomycin, kanamycin, amikacin, capreomycin and fluoroquinolones listed as contraindicated for use by pregnant women. Related Articles: Learn more about Pattie Hughes  Pattie Hughes is a freelance writer and mother of four young children. She and her husband have been married since 1992. Pattie holds a degree in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University. Relevantpregnancy tags User Comments gmcof05 (116) 25 Feb 2009 04:09 PMcan a women have tuberculosis while she is pregnant, if so what are the affects? Discuss this article
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