Tuberculosis Exposure?

We recently received a phone call from the VA (Veteran's Administration) health department.  Turns out my brother, the one who returned from Iraq this summer, has been exposed to TB and needs to come in for additional testing.  I know I'm making this a bigger deal in my head than it probably really is...but he does have a horrible cough, and has had it for ages.  I chalked it up to his smoking habit. 

IF a family member has been exposed to TB, or indeed turns out to have TB, would that in any way cause restrictions to be put on my travel?  I know that I am not sick.  I'm (finally) getting over the sinus thing, no cough, no fever.  I wouldn't get on a plane with a cough knowing what I know now.  But...could the health department/VA tell me I have to stay here?  It's getting very close to my leaving date...

Modified to add - I would not knowingly expose anyone to TB...if I'm told I can't travel, I'll end up staying until I get an all clear...just hoping it wouldn't come to that.

Don't you have to declare on a landing card whether or not you have had exposure to TB?  If so, then you will be taken aside for a chest X-Ray at the airport.  My feeling is that the right thing to do would be to book an appointment with a doctor now, before you leave, have the test, and then you can present the certificate giving the all-clear when you come in if need be.

TB is growing in the UK because of a number of immigrants who have not taken this responsible approach.  While you are probably (hopefully!) okay, I think that it is best to be sure, both for public health reasons and your own peace of mind.

I hope your brother is okay.

Vicky

Gosh, I don't remember what it asks on a landing card.  Do British citizens even have to fill one out?

You're absolutely right, though, Vicky.  I would never knowingly expose people to TB.  I'll go ahead and contact the local health department for testing instead of waiting for the VA to order it.  I'm hoping it won't be too expensive...seems the health dept would figure it's in the public interest to make sure I'm clear.

It's a very simple test and if I remember correctly it didn't cost a whole lot in California. 

I hope your brother is ok.

Do British citizens even have to fill one out?

Not when entering the UK, no of course not, sorry!

Vicky

Quick update...brother has been to see health dept.  While he's testing positive, he doesn't have an active infection and is not contagious.  So while he's got to start a 6-month course of antibiotics, the rest of us are in the clear! 

One thing crossed off the 'to-do' list!

Not when entering the UK, no of course not, sorry!

No worries, no reason you would have known I was a British citizen unless I told you! 

Glad everything turned out ok!


Wow, is it really only 7 days now?? 

Wow, is it really only 7 days now?? 

I'm starting to hyperventilate...

Glad it's all worked out!

Vicky

Glad your brother is okay and not contagious - can't imagine how much that would suck!