This section features some concerns that might come up as you talk about each bubble and possible responses:

Health

“I’m scared about how TB will impact my health.”

• In the past people who’ve been told they have TB have had all different kinds of feelings about it. Scared, nervous, happy or relieved to have a clear direction, sad, angry. And it’s okay to feel many feelings at once too.

• Just like before, you don’t have to answer if you’re uncomfortable, but you’ve had a few days to sit with it, how do you feel now about having TB?

• It’s totally normal to feel that way. Thank you for being honest.

Medication

“I’m so bad at remembering to take my pills.”

• I feel you. I’m the same way. It’s good to remember that you’re doing this for your health and to get the TB germs out of your body.

• Something I find that helps people is setting a reminder on your phone, so you remember to take your antibiotics or putting the pills beside where you keep your breakfast cereal.

Isolation

“My kids are at home and there’s no other place for me or them to go.”

• Yeah, isolation at home can be tricky. It’s great you’re thinking about their health too.

• Usually, home isolations mean people who are already living with you, you are okay to be around. We will be checking with them to see if they need to do some tests for TB and make sure they’re healthy.

• It is maybe better if you can be in a separate room for sleeping and spending most of your time. Is that possible?

• Maybe a good plan would be to stay in your room when the kids are home, and then when they are at school you can be in the rest of the house and keep some windows open to move the air around?

• Yeah, it sucks for sure, but thankfully it’s only for 2 weeks.

Protecting Others

“I am afraid to go around other people and spread TB to them and be blamed for making them sick.”

• I get that. Lots of other people who have had TB feel this way too.

• You have sleeping TB (or have Active TB and you’re out of isolation) which actually means you’re not contagious at all. There is no chance you’re spreading TB.

• For people you might have told that you have TB, you can reassure them that you won’t be passing TB to them.

Coming to the Clinic

“I don’t have an easy way to get to the clinic every day.”

• I’m glad you brought that up because it can be challenging for people.

• In the past, I know people have asked to borrow a work truck on their breaks to pass by and take their antibiotics. Do you think that’s something your boss would be okay with?

• We can’t always do this, but we can ask the nurses if we can do a home visit for you? Do have an idea of a time of day that you’re always going to be home?

• I’m glad we were able to work something out. It’s best to make taking your antibiotics as easy as you can.

Life

“I am a bit stressed about not being able to work during isolation.”

• That’s a totally real concern.

• Do you think it would be okay with you if I shared that with the TB Team? We might be able to help with some COOP vouchers or grocery shopping. I know it’s not everything but it’s a small help.

• Would it help for nursing to talk to your work and explain the situation? See if you have some sick days or benefits so you aren’t without pay for the whole time you’re isolating?

Stigma

“I feel really lonely. People don’t want to visit with me because they’re afraid to catch TB.”

• I’m sorry that’s happening to you. Other people who have had TB before have said similar things.

• Now that you are out of isolation, you don’t need to worry about spreading TB to anyone else.

• If someone is avoiding you, you can remind them that you finished your isolation and they don’t need to be afraid to be around you.

Activities

“I am smoking cigarettes a lot these days. I’ve tried to stop before but it’s with me for now. My lungs are feeling worse than before, am I not getting better?”

• Glad you asked about this!

• As you know, smoking causes damage in your lungs and since you just had TB maybe your lungs and breathing are not feeling better because they are still healing from having TB.

• In your case, your Active TB might have damaged your lungs and even though there’s less TB Germs in your body and they aren’t attacking your lungs, the damage from before might still be there. You can think about it like cutting your hand on a rock, the rock is no longer in your hand, but your body hasn’t yet had the time to heal the wound.

• Your health is really important and feeling better is part of that. It would be good to share this with the TB nurse to see if they have any suggestions. Do you have time to go together and ask them now?