I have TB positive, but x-ray negative. Do I need Isoniazid /INH/?!
Question: I'm not in agreement with Dr. C. Just having a positive skin test does not mean that you have TB. It only means that you were exposed to it and that you body has developed antibodies to it. You had a negative chest x-ray. So that's a good thing. If you truly want to make sure that you don't have TB get your doctor to order a Quantiferon Gold Assay study. It's a simple blood test that will take about 5-7 days to get the results back from the lab and it is the latest 'gold' standard for TB. If it comes back positive then you will need drug therapy, if it comes back negative you have nothing to worry about and will only need to have yearly chest x-rays for your job. So get the blood test and let your doctor do the worrying for you.
Answers: I'm not in agreement with Dr. C. Just having a positive skin test does not mean that you have TB. It only means that you were exposed to it and that you body has developed antibodies to it. You had a negative chest x-ray. So that's a good thing. If you truly want to make sure that you don't have TB get your doctor to order a Quantiferon Gold Assay study. It's a simple blood test that will take about 5-7 days to get the results back from the lab and it is the latest 'gold' standard for TB. If it comes back positive then you will need drug therapy, if it comes back negative you have nothing to worry about and will only need to have yearly chest x-rays for your job. So get the blood test and let your doctor do the worrying for you.
I assume you mean PPD positive and X-ray negative. If so, you are presumed to have "latent TB." That is, you have been exposed to TB germs but have not developed active disease.
Whether or not you should take INH depends on the risk of developing active TB vs. the risks of the medication. The greatest chance of developing active TB in untreated latent TB occurs during the first 2 years of PPD positivity (~5%). Similarly, the odds of experiencing significant side effects from INH is ~5%. Therefore, if you have been PPD positive for <2 years, you should receive treatment with INH.
no, its ok same thing happened with me false alarm
Most doctors will treat you if you are younger as a precautionary because if you develop TB down the road when you are older your risks of death go up dramatically, and TB drugs can cause liver failure and harm if your liver is weak. So if your doctor suggests it I would definately do it. It could save your life down the road. And remember this doesnt mean you have TB you have just been exposed and they treat you, so you dont develop TB in the future.