Is it a concern if a co-worker is prescribed isoniazid (anti-tuberculosis medicine) but refuses to take it?
If someone was put on isoniazid by the health department, it's probably because they have tuberculosis, right? And if he does not take the pills because of undesirable side effects, are other co-workers and customers at risk? Or should we not be so nosy and mind our own business? Update: It turns out that the coworker has "latent" tuberculosis -- not "active" TB -- and everything I read says latent TB is not contagious. (This is also the reason why the health dept. apparently cannot "force" him to take the isoniazid. They could only do that if he had active TB). I still do not feel completely comfortable with this, because untreated latent TB can eventually turn into active TB and therefore be contagious. But it seems like there is nothing that can be done if he has latent TB and decides not to take the pills. We are a small accounting office (only 6 employees) and we are indeed friends. This is a super-touchy issue but health has to come first. I am the business owner, by the way. I don't know what to do.
Respiratory Diseases - 6 Answers
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1 :
I am not sure, but it does not sound right to me. If I were you I would call the health department and find out. You do not want to be suseptable to tuberculosis because this is contagious and can affect you and your family and you don't need this. Call the Health department and find out what to do and how to go about it and then get a letter and give it to your employer and let them deal with it. Take care Heather
2 :
They just put a man in jail for not taking his TB meds!
3 :
Nope,,,its everybodys business, In normal xircumstances, a co-worker who refuses a treatment, is exercising his or her principle of autonomy( the right of a patient of accepting or refusing a treatment after it has been carefully explained to the patients. By not taking the medication, the individual is jeopardizing OTHER peoples health, and that ceases being a right...it is criminal negligence on part of the worker (working mate) That behavior should be reported to the employer (It is handled by law, as confidential information) and if it turns out that the treatment is not being followed, the hirer (the contractor of his or her services) is entitled to terminate the job on those grounds (jeopardizing co-workers health) Tuberculosis is a very common cause of dismissal, and the individual can be re-hired once there is proof (medical) that he or she are not infectious anymore.
4 :
You are not being suspicious. Management needs to ask the co-worker why he was prescribed the medication. It could be because he was exposed to TB, and it is being prescribed as a preventive measure. If he can't provide an adequate answer, and can't provide a doctor's explanation, it is a matter for your health department.
5 :
If he has TB you're definitely at risk & it's very contagious. I don't know if that drug is used for anything else, you or the boss could check with the health dept. on that. You've probably heard the story of thypoid Mary, well TB is every bit as contagious. It can cause lung scarring, breathing problems, etc., even death if not treated. Admittedly it's rare today because of hygeine & medications. But it still exists. That's why you are required to take a test & get a booster shot every few years if you work around sick or elderly people. Most people who can't afford to miss work never think of the possibility of giving it to someone else. So maybe he just doesn't think about it. But I'd be very concerned. If it has bad side effects there is usually another drug he can take. Even if not why should others be harmed because he won't take his meds?
6 :
Can u confirm with that co-worker if the isoniazid is really for TB. There are other infections that can be treated with isoniazid except TB. If you have TB you are prescribed with a cocktail of drugs and not one drug only. Confirm it and once you know if he really has TB them let the management know about this. If he has TB he should not be at work for at least 4-6 weeks. TB is still contagious during this time. Seek the management's advice regarding this if that co-worker has TB. You and your co-workers can be at risk
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