Skip directly to search Skip directly to A to Z list Skip directly to navigation Skip directly to page options Skip directly to site content

TB Personal Stories


TB is still a life-threatening problem in this country. TB knows no borders, and people here in the United States are suffering from TB. Anyone can get TB. These stories highlight the personal experiences of several people who were diagnosed and treated for TB infection or TB disease.

Deo’s Story

Deo was born in Bhutan and worked as a medical professional before moving to the United States. A health screening when he arrived in the country revealed he had latent TB infection. Video

Esteban and Danielle’s Story

Esteban and Danielle adopted two girls from Ethiopia, one of whom was found to have multidrug-resistant TB. With the help of a TB nurse, their daughter received the life-saving treatment she needed.

Kenni’s Story

Kenni, a mother of two young daughters, became very sick in 2012 with a respiratory illness. After numerous misdiagnoses, she finally learned she had TB.
 

Liliana’s Story

Liliana was diagnosed with multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) in 2009. She does not recall ever being exposed to anyone with TB disease as a child or as an adult.

Mabruka’s Story

At age 18 Mabruka was diagnosed with TB. After successfully completing treatment for TB, she now serves a peer counselor, educating others about TB.
 

Martha’s Story

Martha is a nurse. In October 2010, she was diagnosed with TB, and later she learned she had multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB).

Natalie’s Story

Natalie contracted multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) while volunteering as a physical therapist in South Africa. She was treated for 2 years before finally being cured of the disease.

Rick and Francene’s Story

In 2003, Rick and Francene adopted a 13-month-old boy from Russia. Shortly after returning to the United States, they learned he had TB.
 

Rosalie and Faith's story

Rosalie's daughter Faith was first diagnosed with TB at the age of 5, although Rosalie didn't understand the diagnosis. Later, after years of poor health, Faith was diagnosed again with TB when she was 12.

Santos's Story

When Santos’s infant son became ill with TB meningitis, he learned that he himself had latent TB infection. He started but didn’t finish treatment. Years later, he came down with TB disease. Video

Sarah’s Story

When Sarah, a high school student, found an odd lump on her neck in October 2011, she never imagined it could be TB. She was referred to a surgeon who removed the lump, but didn't diagnosis it at the time as TB.

Tri’s Story

Tri found out he had TB shortly after beginning college. After 9 months of treatment for TB disease, Tri is back doing what he loves-playing basketball. Video

Top