HIV Forum

DianaR · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 7:42 pm Post subject: **Tuberculosis**

Tuberculosis is one of the diseases that develops as a result of HIV infection. It is also found in homeless people who have poor health care and are exposed to the elements for long periods of time.

It is a disease that can spread rather easily through water droplets in the air, meaning if someone coughs without covering their face well, the small droplets released are breathed in by those nearby.

With this in mind, how do you think mass transit should be modified to minimize this exposure, especially in winter when buses have their windows up, or in light rail passenger cars where windows don't open at all?

mamatito33 · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 10:14 pm Post subject:

That is a really good question. One of our pastors has recently contracted TB through his ministry of going out on the streets and visiting with people. HE has been through a lot with it. And he doesnt' have HIV or anything like that. I can well imagine how it would act in a body that has such a weak immune system. I do think that a time will come that we will need extensive measures to keep from getting some of the diseases that are coming out, but as for now, I just don't know how that would be accomplished.

green · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 10:09 am Post subject:

That is right. TB is infectious and it is airborne I think. You can easily get it when you come into close contact with someone who is infected. With infected people sometimes roaming around the streets I sometimes wonder why it is that not many people get infected with it. I guess it might have to do with that a lot of people might be immune to it.. i don't know.. I just always wonder about it.

xiflada · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 6:22 pm Post subject:

mamatito33 · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 7:51 pm Post subject:

I"m not sure how immune we are to it, but I do know that people with lower immune systems are more likely to catch anything. My mom has RA, and it has given me a new reality on how you have to be careful. A little cold for one person can put her in the hospital with pnumonia. She has occasionally worn a mask over her mouth and nose during the season's when things are really bad. It might be wise for others of us to do that as well.

green · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 5:09 pm Post subject:

Xiflada, I just wanted to say that living in a clean environment with clean water to drink has nothing to do with being infected to with TB. You can be in the cleanest of environments and still get infected with TB.

What puts you at risk is getting into close contact with an infected person.

green · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 5:12 pm Post subject:

mamatito33

I agree that having a weak immune system does put you at risk of everything. I guess that is why people suffering from Aids easily get TB.

I am really sorry about your mom. It must be really hard for her.

mabel normand · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 6:03 pm Post subject:

I think TB is a bacterial infection. Something as simple as wearing a respirator on the bus should do the trick.

mamatito33 · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 2:15 pm Post subject:

Green
It is hard on her, and I've noticed that when anyone asks her what is wrong with her she just tells them that it is arthritis. I didnt' understand that at first, until I realized that RA is an autoimmune disorder. Some people hear that and think that it is related to AIDS. I was really surprised. I have seen people step and and ask, is it contagious? YOu have to explain to them that no, RA is not contagious anymore than cancer is contagious. You can't catch it by being near someone. My mom is in a wheel chair now and her hands are completely deformed. And she is very selfconscious about it all. It is hard for all of us.

Postman · Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 12:23 pm Post subject:

I don’t think that TB is a result of the person having an HIV because Tubercolosis is an airborne. I don know that if you have an HIV then you got a Tb then your time is near because HIV will weaken your body’s defense against diseases.