You are here:

Asthma/asthma and tb

Advertisement

Expert: - 1/8/2008


Question
I contacted tb when i was in the service in the year of 1968, i was in iceland at the time when i was treated.  before i was shipped over to iceland, i thought i had a summer cold coughing, sweating.  My lung collapsed twice and each time they dained my lungs with this crude looking bottle set up.  on the second time my lungs collapsed they prescribe some medicine 11 pills 4 times a day. I only took it for about a month,  when i went for my disabilty check up thats when i found that i had tb and was suppose to take the medicine for 6 months (i didn't because no one followed up on my situation)  I later discovered I had asmtha which looking back when i was a teenager i had the symptoms,  My question is are the two diseases related in some way

Answer
None of the training I've had ever presented a relation between TB and asthma. I did a search of the complete Medscape site, and came up empty, but Highwire Press at Stanford University produced some articles: http://thorax.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/55/6/449?maxtoshow= and http://thorax.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/56/10/770?maxtoshow=

There seems to be some corelation between TB vaccine and reduce risk of developing asthma. As far as the reverse scenario, in asthma, there is ALWAYS a low level of inflammation in the lungs, even when symptom-free. In addition, asthmatics produce a larger quantity of thick mucus, which may provide a more inviting environment for TB to take hold.

Aside from those two scenarios, I don't really see anything else other than two diseases co-existing at once. But that is no different than having asthma and high blood pressure.

Hope this helped.

Marc

Asthma

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Marc Rubin, RPh Asthma Educator

Expertise

I have worked directly with patients as well as caregivers for over 30 years. Have made presentations throughout Illinois educating school nurses as well as the teaching and coaching staff of public schools about asthma, and how they should respond to these students needs. Presented a public education program on asthma through the US Department of Public Health. Specialize in helping guide asthmatic patients to take control of their disease in order to live a near-normal, fully active life.

Experience

Practicing pharmacist for 34 years, specializing in asthma for past 7 years. Statewide education to nurses, teachers and athletic coaches regarding asthma. In addition, and closer to home. my wife and daughter both have asthma, and my son has exercise induced bronchospasm. I'm also on the advisory board of a medical education company, Emmi Solutions, and directly involved in the creation of public education programs for asthma, COPD and diabetes.

Organizations
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) / Sports Medicine Committee, American Thoracic Society (ATS). Chicago Asthma Consortium / Professional Development Committee, Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago: Development Committee for AE-C prep class, and presenter.

Publications
AAAAI PowerPoint on the new guidelines for EIB (Exercise Induced Bronchospasm)

Education/Credentials
BScPharm, RPh, AE-C (NAECB Certified asthma educator), NIPCO Certified Respiratory Care Pharmacist

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.