Arrived on K1 Visa Have TB

[B & G 200]

My ex-wife came from Asia and she tested positive for TB in routine doctor visit after she arrived here,

so we were told to go to the public clinic and get more tests done (if I remember correctly).

Initially, doctor prescribed some medicine that she was supposed to take for many months

and we had to go back that she is all TB clear,

but if I recall, we explained that Asians receive TB vaccine shots when they are young

and can trigger positive TB results, therefore, we ended up doing more x-rays to prove that all was OK

and she didn't take the medicine too long.

My first marriage was back about 25 years ago, so I can only remember things vaguely,

but I believe once our doctor suspected TB, it either got reported to the government run

public clinic or we were told that it was required for us to go there for confirmation and treatment.

During that time, there was no trouble with immigration laws, and never a threat of

being sent back. They just wanted to make sure she didn't have TB, or if she did,

that it is treated since it's contagious.

How did they do the TB test?

Simple pricking on forearm and looking for swelling type of test is not sufficient.

I believe they need to do the chest (lung) x-ray to confirm TB.

Also, did he has TB vaccine shots when he was young?

I would not panic about getting deported. If they didn't detected before his entry,

I think he's OK. And also, I don't think there is any health check up requirement for AOS...

but I'm not there yet, so maybe someone can confirm.

Instead, I would focus on actual TB itself, and get that treated if its confirmed to be positive.

You don't want to mess around with TB and have it spread to your family and friends.

I agree with you. I had the TB vaccine as a child, all children of my generation had it, so during my medical my doctor didn't even consider doing the skin test, because it will come up as positive due to the vaccine. I had an xray to clear me of that.

[subwayguy 100]

How could he had TB and got the k1 visa ? As far as I know, you have to file a waiver for some diseases.

[lil2be 11]

When PPD skin test is positive, it is confirmed with Chest x-ray or T-spot (blood test). Sputum culture can be done also depending on your health care provider/professional. There are some drugs that treat both active and inactive TB such Isoniazid, Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), Ethambutol (Myambutol), and

Pyrazinamide. These drugs cause urine turn orange and it stains your clothes if you don't wipe properly. But don't freak out. It is a long treatment and some side effects.

People can contrast TB anywhere any times. If they are active, you will see that person will have a productive cough with frosty pink sputum for over 3 months. Then, that person needs to be in isolation. Seriously!

I am a nurse. When I got into nursing school, I tested negative. I was in nursing school for a year. I tested positive. So I did a T spot with negative result. I belive I got some TB agent on my skin when I was in one of the facilities I worked in.

Most people in crowded population will likely test positive. Nothing to worry. Just get another test done to be sure. I refused the treatment because I didn't think I had it. And I know the side effects of the drug. Yes I am a nurse and I am non compliance one.

[Enigma23 68]

We recently did AOS for my daughter who was on k2 visa.She was tested positive for latent TB.We were not given any directions to inform CDC or anyone else.2 months after our arrival,we received a call from the nurse for the treatment.However we denied it.We did not face any problems during interview or filing the application.

You DO realize that Latent TB can become ACTIVE TB at any time... and that in the United States it can be a CRIMINAL OFFENSE to REFUSE to take your Meds?? Or even to drink alcohol while on therapy?? That they can prosecute you and remand you to custody for treatment??

Your Daughter is risking infecting the general public and now so are you and your spouse... by exposing yourselves to it! How completely irresponsible!!!!

TB doesn't just "go away" on it's own and this is EXACTLY how it is passed on... Do you know there are forms of TB that CANNOT be easily cured??? Some of them not at all??

If your daughter is in school, you are taking the risk to infect every child and teacher who spends the day around her... and their families when they get home...

Your daughter needs treatment and you and your spouse need to be tested as well!

Honestly if I knew who you were and where you lived I would report you to the local health department!

I sincerely hope you will now take this seriously and get in touch with your family doctor or health dept!

[kehills 217]

Do they quarantine people here for that? I mean the person he got infected by is dead. And this person had infected many many people in their country. I mean we don't have TB here.

...by "we don't have TB here," you don't mean the United States, do you? Because we do have TB in the United States. We have lots of TB here. There was a huge outbreak in 1992, it remains endemic in the homeless population, and there's still something like 10,000 treated cases a year. (Public health officials assume the rate is much higher, since many in the homeless population don't receive treatment.)

[Enigma23 68]

Asking for someone. Their husband arrived on a K1 they got married now they find out he has TB. They aren't close to Adjusting Status yet.

1. Do they have to go to the Civil Surgeon for treatment?
2. Does this jeopardize when they do file for Adjustment of status?
3. Can he be deported?

1. You can go to your local Health Dept. or Primary Physician and they will refer you to your local Health Dept.

2. As long as the beneficiary follows Testing and Treatment advice it should not affect Adjustment.

3. Not usually. A Petitioner can even file a waiver to bring a Beneficiary with TB over to the US for treatment though our Govt seems to try hard to block this from happening. Once he is here he will need to follow recommended testing and treatment procedures. He can be placed (if not already) on a "No Fly' list and may be asked to place his passport in holding if they believe he will not comply. Or if he does not follow treatment after knowing he is infected he can be charged criminally.

Most US cities adhere to the DOT(Directly Observed Treatment) method for curing TB due to the risks involved with people not taking their medicine or treatment seriously.

More information on the disease and treatment is outlined here if you or your friend is interested.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/489654-tuberculosis-screening-and-applying-for-a-visa-sdo/

Its from the standpoint of a K-1 Visa Beneficiary PRE-Entry. The treatment in the US is a little bit different depending upon location.

And YES... A patient can be "quarantined" if deemed necessary due to risk of infection to others (High bacterial count) or if they believe you will not follow treatment advice.

Often times the patient is required to stay home for the first 3 weeks to one month of antibiotics to reduce the risk of exposure to the general public... and if you don't they will make you.

Edited July 10, 2014 by Enigma23

[Enigma23 68]

For actual reference of what rights the governmental powers they have to "Control the spread" here's a PDF from the CDC regarding Laws and Regulations pertaining to the control of communicable diseases and TB see

Part A - State and Local General Communicable Disease Control Law found here:

http://www.cdc.gov/tb/programs/TBLawPolicyHandbook.pdf

Basically if your friends fiance is already getting tested and follows the recommendations they should have no problems. They usually only deport "undocumented" people they believe will be a risk and usually they treat and cure them first in custody then deport them. they do this because we know most likely they will be back and if not cured they risk bringing back the MDR or XDR types of TB which nobody wants to see.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Anyone refusing treatment for TB is incredibly stupid, and being proud of it is worse.

[AnotherLostSoul 167]

Well, I was lazy to read all the posts, so maybe already mentioned, but since I'm in the medical field, are you sure this person has TB? If he was done the skin test, but he got BCG as an immunization shot for TB then he does tests positive for TB. A Chest X-ray should be done show he is clear. Alternatively, he can have quantiferon blood test done. That one won't test positive even if he got his BCG shot just yesterday. Make sure to double check that!

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Well if they do infect someone else at least US law will allow the new victims to sue these idiots for everything then own now and in the future.

[suv 0]

I do understand,and We are concerned about my daughter's health and community.She had X;ray done overseas,which was clear,and as in most of the asian countries,she did received BCG shots when born.The PPD test was positive due to that.But still thanks for your suggestion,I will relook on this and consult the doctor and nurse,if I really missed out something.

You DO realize that Latent TB can become ACTIVE TB at any time... and that in the United States it can be a CRIMINAL OFFENSE to REFUSE to take your Meds?? Or even to drink alcohol while on therapy?? That they can prosecute you and remand you to custody for treatment??

Your Daughter is risking infecting the general public and now so are you and your spouse... by exposing yourselves to it! How completely irresponsible!!!!

TB doesn't just "go away" on it's own and this is EXACTLY how it is passed on... Do you know there are forms of TB that CANNOT be easily cured??? Some of them not at all??

If your daughter is in school, you are taking the risk to infect every child and teacher who spends the day around her... and their families when they get home...

Your daughter needs treatment and you and your spouse need to be tested as well!

Honestly if I knew who you were and where you lived I would report you to the local health department!

I sincerely hope you will now take this seriously and get in touch with your family doctor or health dept!

[lil2be 11]

Anyone refusing treatment for TB is incredibly stupid, and being proud of it is worse.

I refused because I know I didn't have it. And I have a right to refuse treatment as others do in any medical issue. And hey I was dang right. My test was false positive!!!

I am proud to know my rights about medical treatment. Don't just call people stupid if they don't do what you think it is right thing to do. How many times physicians misdiagnose the disease and perform/give the wrong treatment?! If you have enough knowledge about disease process and treatment of TB and you were in my shoes. You would do the same.

I am very proud I refused the treatment of the disease I never have.

Would you get mastectomy done when your doctor said you have the cancer. And then find out later, it was a medical mistake? And later find a big law suit against your health care peovider.

Please stop judging people. People do make their own decisions regards their own health isssue unless you are in his/her advance directive. People can be stupid and make mistake all they want. But calling people name is just not right. You are knowledgeable about this immigration world I have to admit. Please stop the judgemental treatment to others. This is my last post. Good luck.

[kehills 217]

Actually, you don't have the right to refuse treatment for TB. You do have the right to have a positive TB skin test re-validated by a higher sensitivity test that will either confirm TB or confirm false-positive (in which case you don't need to refuse treatment since they won't want to treat you).

TB is serious. Folks with multi- or extensively-drug-resistant TB (MDR- or XDR-TB) can be involuntarily isolated/quarantined, in order to protect the public health.

[Boiler 45,486]

As I said positive on the skin test means not a lot. Certainly does not mean you have TB.

[Enigma23 68]

I do understand,and We are concerned about my daughter's health and community.She had X;ray done overseas,which was clear,and as in most of the asian countries,she did received BCG shots when born.The PPD test was positive due to that.But still thanks for your suggestion,I will relook on this and consult the doctor and nurse,if I really missed out something.

Good! Very glad to read that!!

Just so you know the Chest X-ray tests for marks/Spots/Scarring (they can not show when latent and show false positive when TB is not present)... you said they know she has Latent TB... and they contacted you after arrival to get her treated... or at least retested. You can ask for (you may have to pressure them) to be tested using the Quantiferon Gold (not the skin test or X-ray) this is the most accurate method.... rules out false positives...

Then you will know for sure... and can proceed as needed... I wish this on no one.. but please be responsible...

My Fiance was infected in just this manner.. a family member who refused to get examined (and still does) even with all the symptoms and he had no where else to stay at the time and because of this we have been kept apart nearly an additional year.

And if you read my link from before you will know how serious it is... If you already know it was Latent she will need treatment... read the last part of my long TB post for natural methods that help with healing but take this VERY SERIOUS.

And for

lil2be

the nurse who knows her rights... I don't believe Harpa was referring to you or anyone specific for that matter..... in your post you said you were retested and it was negative... perhaps she was just making a general statement.... about the seriousness of the disease and the responsibility of anyone who has been exposed...

Surely as a nurse you know the possibilities and would agree............

Edited July 10, 2014 by Enigma23