Q: I am a 28 years old woman who recently completed a six months course for lung tuberculosis and the treating physician concluded 'cured' after examining my chest X-ray except for a small scar that would heal in time. Recently, I underwent tests for pre-employment wherein my haemoglobin (Hb) was 13.6, TLC - 10,400, DLC - 89 and ESR was 60 and it was concluded that I have tuberculosis. Am I suffering from tuberculosis again?

A:It is possible that the opacity on the chest X-ray is a scar. However without testing for active tuberculosis in the sputum or by other blood tests it cannot be said for certain that you do not have TB if you have symptoms or signs of TB on the examination. If you have taken the complete course of medication and have no clinical signs then it is unlikely you have TB. The elevated ESR is non-specific and needs to be worked up and followed. You should discuss this with your physician.