While tuberculosis isn’t terribly common, it is still around. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rate of tuberculosis infection in the United States is about 5.3 per 100,000 for women of child bearing age. It stands to reason that some diagnosed will be pregnant women.
The rate of TB is much higher within certain populations. For example, the rate of TB in foreign born people in the year 2007 was 20.7 per 100,000, compared with 2.1 per 100,000 in American born people. Women born in Africa, Asia or Latin America are at higher risk of TB infection. Women who are at higher risk for TB and their doctors should be aware of the added risk.
The symptoms and affects on the mother and baby depend on whether the case is active or latent. Latent TB is asymptomatic and the person is not contagious. Most people infected with TB have the latent form. However, with an active TB infection, the bacterium is quite contagious. It is spread through the air by being near someone with TB and breathing in the bacteria.
The symptoms of TB include a severe cough that lasts longer than three weeks, coughing up blood, pain in the chest, lack of appetite, fatigue and weakness. If you have symptoms and believe you have been exposed to TB, talk to your health care provider about testing. Even if you don’t think you’ve been exposed, talk to your doctor, as these symptoms are serious and require attention.
Testing is safe and includes a skin test to check for exposure to TB. If the skin test comes back positive, a chest x-ray will likely be done. While x-ray is often avoided during pregnancy, most doctors believe it is safe in this case and definitely warranted. Untreated TB is deadly.
If a woman is found to have active TB infection, getting proper treatment is essential. There are some drugs that are known to be unsafe and others that are considered safe for pregnancy. A few of the medicines approved by the FDA for use in treating TB in pregnant women are ethambutol, rifampin, and isoniazid. Your doctor will determine the best course of treatment in an individual situation.
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