Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] Is chest pain that radiates to the arm is a symptom of pulmonary tuberculosis?  My friend has been diagnosed with PTB and is having chest pain.  She started her PTB medication on May 26, 2012 or a month ago but she still feels pain in the chest area.  Is it normal.  How long will the pain go?
[|AI|]  Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your friends situation and problem. Treatment of tuberculosis is long, for at least 6-8 months. So recovery is also delayed. Usually recovery is expected after 2 months of regular treatment. Tuberculosis causes pleurisy (inflammation of pleura). And this causes chest pain and arm pain. She is on treatment since 1 month and so it is very early to see improvement. In my opinion, she should take treatment for 1 more month because usually 2 months are required for clinical and symptomatic improvement in tuberculosis. If after 2 months, she is still having pain than get done chest x-ray and sputum report to rule out Chat Doctor.  But at present, wait for 1 more month. Hope I have solved your query. Wishing her good health. Thanks.