Talat Naheed.
Are Doctors Safe from Tuberculosis.
Biomedica Jan ;14:84-7.

This retrospective study was carried out on young doctors who presented with febrile illness and various other complaints. Most common symptoms were fever, anorexia, loss of weight, malaise and night sweats followed by dry cough and chest pain. All of them had physical examination and investigated to confirm the diagnosis of tuberculosis. Males were in majority, mean age 27.5 ± 1.67, mean weight 58.75 ± 8.13. Radiological examination revealed pleural effusion 10 (50%), hilar lymphadenopathy 5 (25%), apical involvement 2 (10%), lower zone involvement 2 (10%) and extensive parenchymal involvement with pneumothorax 1 (5%). All of them were treated with four drugs for first 3 months followed by Rifampicin and INH for next 6 months. 75% of them were cured and free of disease on follow up carried on for 6-24 months, 25% are still on treatment. B.C.G. Vaccination provided no protection. This study reveals that the doctors and health professionals are at risk of catching infections like tuberculosis (TB) as an occupational hazard.

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