Last week I wrote about Ella’s positive ppd test and was agonizing over taking our doctor’s advice (to wait and retest her at fifteen months) or seeking treatment for her. My husband emailed the doctor and asked her to clarify some issues and we’ve decided to wait and retest her in about four months.

The main reason to hold off on treatment (unless it was necessary) is the toxicity of the treatment, and she may not even need it. Had she tested higher (her reaction was 5 mm) we would certainly go ahead and begin the prophylaxis treatment. Depending on what her test reveals at fifteen months, we’ll decide then.

I’m glad that I took some time to really think about it and to calm down after first hearing that her test was positive. Her chest x-ray came back clear and she shows no signs of tuberculosis. We asked what symptoms we should look out for, and they are fever and coughing. Of course, now she’s developed a cold, but it’s not in her chest. Good thing, because I would have completely freaked out if she had developed a hacking cough after all of this tb talk! I’ll let you know what happens with the re-test.