Tb Exposure at work

[Katnip, RN]

Just got a call from my hospital that a paitent of mine has come up positive for Tb. They want me tested at the end of next month.

Has anyone else been through this? What kind of protocol do tyou use? If you come up positive also, do have have to do the isolation in addition to INH? Or is that like closing the barn door after the horse gets out?

I'm not really too worried about it yet. I guess I haven't had time to think through ever moment I had with this patient.

[bargainhound, RN]

You just take INH and watch for any symptoms of fever, sweats, cough, etc. Also, they will do a chest xray if your skin test is positive. As long as you follow these precautions, you will be okay.

[crankyasanoldma]

We are tested annually.

You generally need more than a brief exposure to contact TB.

Does anyone know if there is a wait needed between exposure and testing?

[Loribabble]

I agree with the previous poster - I wouldn't worry about it yet. I have worked with TB pts in a third world country (long term - MANY exposures), no precautions, no isolation rooms and I am still neg. My employee health told me that there can be a 6 week lapse between exposure and converting to pos so I always get tested about 8 weeks after being back just in case. Good Luck... hope everything turns out ok!

[Katnip, RN]

They told me I have to wait until Dec. 9 to get tested. We had her a couple of weeks ago. I'm not terribly worried really, just curious how it's done and if there's a universal procedure all facilities follow. Right now I'm more concerned with the flu it feels like I've just picked up. :)