I'm paranoid about working in a respiratory ward for my placement. i went to check a man with abdominal tb vital signs and i'm now paranoid. help?

Ask your supervisor: It's special precautions are to be taken. Otherwise practice standard precautions of good handwashing. If you are very frightened you can certainly wear a mask. As a medical student i did mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on a man who was dying of pulmonary tuberculosis. I did not catch tuberculosis from the experience. Bear that in mind as your fear periodically resurfaces. Best wishes.