Another Sputum Test Question

[Backpackers 19]

Rio has to take the dreaded sputum test next week. I understand the whole process but I'm wondering if we can leave the country while we wait the 8 weeks for the culture? Everyone says that if it's positive, they typically receive a phone call 3-4 weeks after the test. Well we want to travel around SE Asia while we wait, so we won't be reachable by phone. Does anyone know if we can call them instead, maybe every 2 weeks to ask? Or have them call her relative?

We'll be in the same region and will just catch a flight back to the Philippines if she needs treatment, otherwise we'd just plan to come back at the end of the 8 week waiting period.

I have an email out to SLEC and Rio will ask them directly during the test, but I wanted to see if any of you have insight. Thanks.

[xmaricrisx 25]

Hi! My husband actually had his medical on the 3rd as well... he also has to do the sputum exam on the 16-18th I think it would be ok if you called every 2wks... I don't see why not. I read that you can actually try calling some time on the 7th week to see if the results are in.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

You won't have results any earlier then 6-8 weeks. No sense in calling as you will get the answer to wait 8 weeks. If there is a need call at 6 weeks.

[Backpackers 19]

The reason I wanted to call is in case the culture comes back positive. I would want to start treatment immediately rather than wait until the end of the 8 weeks.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

The reason I wanted to call is in case the culture comes back positive. I would want to start treatment immediately rather than wait until the end of the 8 weeks.

The problem with your thought process is that it takes that long to grow the culture. Usually most don't find out until SLEC calls or you call in the 7th week. They want to start just as fast as you want to get started.

Sputum, both rapid and culture. Rapid/initial is positive, you start treatment. If rapid is negative, you wait 2 months for the culture result. Meaning that they take the sputum collection and grow it in a medium that favors the growth of TB bacteria if present. It can take up to 6-8 weeks for TB to grow/appear. That's why if it show up at any time, you start treatment. If not, that's where you see people getting approved for immunizations after the cultures come back negative.

[cristina16 81]

Rio has to take the dreaded sputum test next week. I understand the whole process but I'm wondering if we can leave the country while we wait the 8 weeks for the culture? Everyone says that if it's positive, they typically receive a phone call 3-4 weeks after the test. Well we want to travel around SE Asia while we wait, so we won't be reachable by phone. Does anyone know if we can call them instead, maybe every 2 weeks to ask? Or have them call her relative?

We'll be in the same region and will just catch a flight back to the Philippines if she needs treatment, otherwise we'd just plan to come back at the end of the 8 week waiting period.

I have an email out to SLEC and Rio will ask them directly during the test, but I wanted to see if any of you have insight. Thanks.

You can have her phone on roaming and she can be reached while out of the country.

[Backpackers 19]

I asked my questions to SLEC and I wanted to give updates here in case others search this question.

It is okay to travel abroad while waiting. You can provide contact info of another person who can receive their call on your behalf. Alternatively, they were okay if we call them every 2 weeks.

We asked if they could email us and they said NO.

Good luck to others going through this.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Thanks for the update and giving back to VJ. I wish you continued success.