Key points
Jackie, a tuberculosis (TB) survivor, shares her personal experiences of being diagnosed and treated for active TB disease.
Jackie's story
Jackie had a cough that became so bad she had to stop what she was doing. Her coughing led to dizziness and nausea – seemingly out of nowhere. She thought it was a lingering cold, or possibly the flu and that her illness would go away on its own. After about a month she decided to see a health care provider. She visited an urgent care clinic and was diagnosed with pneumonia.
Diagnosis
Jackie's aunt, a physician, has always been her first or second medical opinion in any health matter. Jackie told her aunt about the tests at urgent care and the pneumonia diagnosis. Her aunt encouraged Jackie to visit a lung specialist right away.
When she was unable to quickly get an appointment to see a specialist, Jackie went to the emergency room. After several misdiagnoses and many medical tests, eventually Jackie was diagnosed with active TB disease.
"I was shocked that tuberculosis was still around," says Jackie.
Treatment and support from the health department
Jackie began her treatment for active TB disease in the hospital. After a couple of weeks, she continued the treatment at home.
"After I got dismissed from the hospital, I think the health department was, or the public health department, was definitely my best resource" Jackie says.
She appreciated the personal support from the health department staff during her TB treatment. Someone was available almost every day to talk by phone or text to answer any questions Jackie had.
"It was very helpful just to know I could rely on her and her information. She just, honestly, she just sounded like she knew what she was talking about, and she sounded more experienced. It helped me just feel more at ease," Jackie recalls.
Jackie's message
Jackie wants to encourage others “not to be afraid to speak up and let their health care providers know what it is they need or what it is they don’t understand.”
If you are a TB patient, survivor, or family member in need of support, We Are TB is a community of TB survivors, people being treated for TB, and their family members who are committed to the common goal of eliminating TB.