Will I get tuberculosis?

[hooverville]

I have always tested positive for the TB test since age 5. Somehow somewhere I was exposed to it...which isn't that rare. I was told that having a weakened immune system could result in me getting active TB. I have had two colds within a week of each other and sever financial stress as well as multiple (6) traffic tickets and am up to have my license suspended, which means I can't work(no public transportation around here). And I have recently given birth to a 3 month old. I am about to go into foreclosure as well due to being almost 3 months behind on the mortgage payment. I am very scared that because of all of this stress, I will get TB and possibly infect my baby. Do you think I should worry? Oh, I don't have health insurance either...

[Bacteria Boy]

We don't actually understand how or why a latent TB infection becomes active; 120 years of research and we are not really any closer! But i'm jumping the gun a little.Firstly, a positive TB antibody test does not mean that you have been infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB). The Mycobacterium genus contains many bacteria that are capable of infecting humans, although they are not as serious. Some of these are also recognised by standard tests. Secondly, have you been vaccinated against TB? If you received the BCG vaccine, you will always show as positive.Thirdly the Mantoux test is not 100% accurate.All that being said, active TB is a very serious infection, but it is treatable. If you were in the UK, i'd tell you to speak to your GP. Damn the USA's awful health system. If you can, see a doctor to look for lessions in your lungs or for preference get a sputum sample tested. If you have any other questions, feel free to e-mail me