Went ptb treatment for 6 mos in 1999.my pulmo said my xray shows scars. other than sputum, what other reliable tests to know if my ptb reactivated?

Clinical symptoms: Fever, weight loss, coughing up blood, drenching night sweats, "bone" pain or pain when you cough are some common signs of reactivated TB. Lab tests for reactivated TB include a chest X-ray & sputum culture (which you mentioned). It should be a "deep" specimen; so sometimes a sample from bronchoscopy or a tissue biopsy may be needed. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/tuberculosis-beyond-the-basics

SPUTUM: collection with prior vaporization is one of the most reliable ways to determine activity ...the chest x ray is a later indication (usually lesions at the apices ("tops") of the lung(s) BTW that 6 month Treatment (INH right??) made the possibility of re-infection VERY UNLIKELY!!! Hope this is helpful Dr Z