VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MOST RECENT tuberculosis (TB) TEST! PLEASE HELP!?!
Question: VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MOST RECENT tuberculosis (TB) TEST! PLEASE HELP!?
MY MOM tested positive for tb last year, she was exposed after a vacation in which she left the country. However she did take medication for it, for the required amount of time.
IF ANYONE can help me, that would be soooo appreciated. I'm really concerned
Answers:
JerseyTaughtMe - You can relax after you finish reading my reply. Your nurse seems to know what is correct even though she did not give you a clear explanation of what's positive (+) and what's negative.(-) when the TB (also called Tine test or tuberculin injection) is done. All injections, done only with killed material not infectious) produces some redness and a little rise which are negative. A positive is determined NOT by looking but rather by gently feeling for a slightly hardened lump of a minimum size that is felt. Millions of people get a positive in early years which remains positive for life but is okay for working in a hospital. The concern comes, as with your mom, when the test was negative last year and now becomes positive a year later. That would indicate a recent infection and require further testing (like a chest x-ray). OK, now relax and gently breathe out. Thanks very much for volunteering to help others at a hospital.
a medical professional
If you are really concerned ask if you can have a CXR instead of having the skin test. From what you explained didn't test positive for TB but you just had a benign skin reaction to some of the ingredients. Also, just so you know the test doesn't show that you have TB it just means that you were exposed to it. You could have been exposed to it when your mother had it and then fought it off and it is only showing that. In any case you should ask for a Chest X-Ray if you are scared of the test. Good luck.