If someone has tuberculosis & is on medication

[edith s]

If someone has tuberculosis & is on medication wearing mask, is it safe to be close to active diseased person What about when person with active TB has to take mask off to eat or drink? I can't check with doctor today because it is Labor Day. (office closed)

[Phillip M]

its safe because theres no way for the disease to get carried to you if he/she has a mask on.

[philip_jones2003]

If you have been immunised then here is not much chance of catching it. Not all forms of TB are infectios anyway.Check with the doc treating him/her first

[zenith]

I wouldn't use the word 'safe' exactly, but it's not likely you'll catch. TB is passed through water droplets, that are spout off when a pt. coughs. Medical professionals use masks, and if the mask is right kind it WILL protect people from TB. However, if they took the mask off to eat or drink, it IS possible that if they coughed to have let to loose in the air. But, if not, then I wouldn't lose sleep over it. Most strains of TB are treatable now. If you think you may have been exposed, it's worth the peace of mind to talk to someone, including the pt. themselves. TB takes awhile to incubate, so don't expect a test result right away or for them to even test or check.