iren13

My husband and I are currently going through the Green Card process.
During the medical exam I was told that my skin test for TB is
positive. It's not surprising since I had BCG vaccination as a kid.
Then I had a chest x-ray which came out negative.

Based on these the pulmonary specialist says that I have "latent TB"
meaning that the bacteria are walled off somewhere - with a 10% chance
lifetime of creating active TB .And he recommends that I take isonizad
for 6 months.

I don't want to use the medication since it has several side effects
and I have no signs of TB.

I am gathering information on the Net about this but would be grateful
for any informed opinions. Has anyone else faced this problem? How
should I proceed?
Any recommendations for a pulmonary specialist around CT, NY area?


Thanks for any explanations or advice.

Ozzidoc

Ask to see another specialist. Write to the specialist requesting he explain the difference between latent TB and TB seen in an adult who was immunized as a child. You could also check the online NIH website for relevant articles.

A pulmonary specialist who has worked in Europe/Australia would be also experienced in this situation.

Elvira

I would not worry about this. A lot of us Brits (my family included) get told this. US doctors are not familiar with BCG vaccination. They have been told nonsense at med school and, being Americans, they think that they are right and most of the rest of the world must be wrong.

You do not need treatment. Millions of Europeans and Asians survive just fine without it!

Iren

I definetely do not want the treatment. But the doctor insists that I
should do it otherwise he wouldn't sign a form saying that I'm
medically cleared ( I think who would write something like I have
latent TB and it's advised that I get treated).
Do any of you guys what kind of a form I should submit to the
Immigration Medical Examiner?
Even if it says that I might have latent TB do I still have to be
treated in order to be able to get the Green Card?

Thanks,

Elvira

Who is this doctor? Is he an immigration approved surgeon? If you can't persuade this moron (get some print outs from UK medical websites in support), find a different surgeon. I have never heard of any Brits having to undergo treatment for immigration purposes.

Iren

Elvira,
Thank you for your immediate responses.
Could you please recommend some UK medical web sites where I can get
information?
The doctor is a pulmonary specialist and he told me that he studied in
UK as well!!!! He says that if I'm in UK that's no problem but in US
it's different (and that I don't understand)

Thanks!

Elvira

I'm sorry I do not remember the websites I looked at when we were facing this problem - it's been over a year. But Google is your friend!

PIT

Iren - I was warned by an immunologist 22 years ago when I was processed for my Green Card through Baltimore that my TB X-ray would be fine and that my blood work could show positive. This is because the US uses the "killed" TB vaccine and the UK uses the "live" TB vaccine. I can only assume that the Baltimore hospital that handled my medical check up was aware of this.
Sorry I can't be any more helpful but I felt my little bit of knowledge was important enough for me to join this forum.

tonrob

I had my medical a month or so back and needed the X-ray too for the same reason. The doctor cheerfully signed the medical report for the INS but said I should get the course of tablets as they might ask me about it an my AOS interview.

Like the OP, I'm wary of taking medication I don't need. Has anyone been in a similar situation and had the subject broached at interview?

Elvira

Yes - we've all been there, and no you don't need to take the tablets and it will not be an issue!

HTH!

meauxna

Why are you having a medical from a non-USCIS doc?

A panel physician should be familiar with your issue. S/he has to examine you anyway...
Or am I totally confused by your post?

tonrob

Thanks for this Elvira - and for your answer to my question on the other thread! The whole process can seem convoluted enough without having to go through steps which are unnecessary. There should be some kind of fast-track process for the Welsh - I reckon we must be under-represented here, surely?

scotta

In South Africa they don't even do the skin test as everyone, in theory, would be positive. Your TB status for green card purposes is determined soely by the x-ray.

Scott

Iren

Elvira,.

I think he signed on the paper that you have inactive Tuberculosis,
right? (positive PPD but negative chest x-ray)
Because that''s when the INS might ask about it, otherwise if you don't
have the active or inactive TB then there's no reason for treatment. Do
you remember what the doctor checked on the I-693?

Meuxna,
I'm in US and I saw a USCIS appointed civil surgeon but because of the
positive PPD they wanted me to see a pulmonary specialist. And that's
the doctor that told me that I need the medication. And he says that
it's a risk that I don't want the medication and latent TB should
definetely be treated.