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Saturday, June 7, 2008

1st visit to the doctor, part 2

Yesterday, we took Eli back to the doctor to have his PPD test (for TB) read. His test was positive. He will have a chest x-ray on Wed. We're expecting the chest x-ray to be clear, because he has no signs of active TB disease. He has latent TB infection, which means he was exposed in Russia to someone who had active TB, and now he carries the germ in his body. He is not contagious or sick right now, but there is a risk that he could develop active TB at any point in the future.

We had to go straight from our doctor to the health department. The nurse we will be working with is so great. I like her a lot. She was very friendly, and did a great job of explaining everything. She measured his induration (skin bump) and it was 15mm. A positive test is 10mm. Soon, they will put him on medication (isoniazid or INH), which he will take 2x/week for 9 months. That's a long time. Someone from the health department will come to the house and give the medication to him. It is helpful that they will come to us and that I don't have to worry about taking him to the health dept. 2x/week, especially later this year when the new baby comes. We definitely want him to have the treatment, because we don't want him to ever have full-blown TB, but we hate that he has to take it, because the side effects could make him feel bad, and he's been so happy lately.

If he had stayed in Russia, he would not have received treatment, and he would have been very sick at some point in his life. I am so thankful to God that he is with us, where he can receive treatment and have a healthy life.

10 comments:

Tiger & Kar said...

Ana, I am so sorry to hear this news but so grateful that he is with you & R, able to get the treatment he needs. Thank goodness the HD will come to the house instead of having to take him to the clinic so often. Praying the chest x-ray is clear!

Troy and Rachel said...

Ana, We'll keep Eli in our prayers and am also thankful he is with you and Russ and that you can give him the treatment he needs. Keep us all posted.

Michael, Carrie, and S said...

I hope the medicine does not leave Eli feeling bad. It is good that you found out so quickly so that he can receive the proper treatment and also wonderful that someone will help with the medicine part. I'm sure this was frustrating news, but it sounds like everything is under control. I'll keep him in my prayers. I hope his chest x-ray results come back okay.

Nicole said...

We will keep Eli is our thoughts and prayers.
nicole

Kevin T. said...

Hi Ana, This must have been such hard news for you guys. It sounds like the doctors definitely know what they are doing with the treatments and I am so glad Eli is with you both and will be able to get all the treatments he needs. We are praying for you all. Be well...Teresa

Joy said...

I am so sorry to hear that he has to have the medication. I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers.
Joy

Beth said...

So sorry to hear that Eli's PPD test was positive, but luckily he is with you and R. and can get the treatment he needs. I know several kiddos that have had to be treated and all have done fairly well. Eli is in our thoughts and prayers.

Mark and Sinziana said...

Ana, I am sorry to hear about the TB test results. Well, as you said, it is very fortunate for Eli to be in Russ and your care so he can get the treatment and all the love he needs! Eli will be in our prayers and thoughts.
Sinziana

Shane & Marie said...

I'm so sorry to hear this about Eli. Thankfully he can start the medication.

Anonymous said...

HI

We seem to have a lot in common or daughter adopted in May from Moscow also has tested positive for tb and we are expecting in November. Feel free to email me at maureenbrad@msn.com. Our doctor also recommended another test before starting the meds.