According to Andrew Speaker, who was wrongly diagnosed with a dangerous form of tuberculosis (TB), he was tricked into isolation. Speaker, a lawyer, told the Associated Press (AP) that he was not aware of having a serious illness when he traveled to Greece to a wedding in May, 2007. For the last four weeks Speaker has been in isolation in Colorado.
Speaker told AP that the authorities asked him to visit a hospital in New York for further tests after his trip to Greece. He says he did just that, then there were guards standing outside his door. Speaker claims the authorities tried to trick him when it was not necessary. Speaker told the AP he is worried about people coming after him.
The last time an American was placed in quarantine in the USA was in 1963.
The CDC wrongly diagnosed speaker with a very dangerous form of TB, a form that is resistant to most drugs. Further tests have clearly shown that he has a milder form which can be treated with a wider range of antibiotics.
Types of Tuberculosis (TB)
Most people who become infected with TB have a chronic infection of the lungs, or Pulmonary Tuberculosis. As the germs multiply they start damaging living tissue. Sores develop in the lungs which can become cavities if left untreated. If you have sores in your lungs you have the Open form of TB.
TB Meningitis is when the brain is infected. The patient will experience severe headaches, stiff neck, vomiting and intermittent drowsiness. TB Meningitis affects children more than adults. If this form of TB is untreated it can be fatal. Even with treatment it is not uncommon for TB Meningitis patients who survive to experience permanent brain damage.
TB can also present itself in the spine, knees, hips and other bones - this is called TB of the Bone. The patient, often a child, will experience swollen joints and find it difficult to walk or bend. The patient can become crippled for life.
When the TB infects the lymph glands, generally around the neck, it is called TB of the Lymph Glands.
TB of the Abdomen is very rare. The stomach/abdomen is affected, and sometimes the abdominal lymph gland.
Inactive Tuberculosis
It is possible that a person who becomes infected with TB does not have any symptoms. In this case the person has Inactive or Latent TB. In this case it is not contagious - it cannot spread to other people.
Active Tuberculosis
A person with Active TB has the signs and symptoms of tuberculosis. This person is contagious - it can spread to other people.
A person with Inactive TB can, after several years, develop Active TB.
Symptoms of TB
-- Nausea
-- Weakness/fatigue
-- Rapid weight loss
-- High temperature
-- Night sweats
-- Cough
-- Pain in the chest
-- Spitting blood (Hemoptysis)
-- Useful web site with TB information at
Health Canada (many useful links on the left of the page)