TB Skin Test

Stubbleuffagus · May 1, 2007

Well... MD called... chest xray is normal (I had no doubts about that), however he wants me to see an infectious disease MD so they can decide if I should be on the INH (antibiotic) or not. He said that with my age group... I fall into the gray area. Some say over 10mm or over 15mm (ppd) and since mine is 13mm he wants a second opinoin. He acted like I am the first postive test he's seen.... hmmm....

I just have a feeling they'll want me to do the INH, but 9 months.... I can't bare the thought :uhoh21:

madascanbeRNtobe · May 1, 2007

I feel for you Stubble.

I was glad that my doctor decided, i didn't need to take it immediately. I will have to though one day.

my ppd was 16mm, and my chest x-ray had the calcium deposits indicative of TB germs (latent TB), therefore im positive without a doubt. I dont know who infected me either. dont know anyone with TB.

just ask your doctor all the right questions, and make an informed choice. Because once u start, please dont stop, it creates drug resistance.

And it might actually be a good thing to get it over with. The fact that I will have to take this medication one day will loom over me quite a bit lol.

You should ask what are the side effects, and how likely I am specifically to get them. Like others have posted, some have had very little if no side effects.

If you are really worried, you can always get two opinions.

Let us know what you decide.

CrazyZanyMad

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · May 2, 2007

In our state anything over >15mm is positive if you have no other risk factors (immunocompromised, recent immigrant from TB-endemic area, migrant worker, and a couple other things). You should have been referred to the county health dept. and they should take over from there, even if you saw a private doc. They need to know about +PPDs anyway for epidemiology purposes. Who knows, they may not even consider you as having a +.

Hope all works out. It's been my experience that if you're asymptomatic you have zero to worry about.

crawlyberry · May 2, 2007

Hi...student here again with a question. If I got vaccinated for Hepatitis B back in 2003, and I had to get a booster in 2004, do I need to get checked yearly for another booster? I did a physical yesterday and the doctor didnt feel the need to check again. I am starting clinicals soon. Can anyone run down how exactly that works?

madascanbeRNtobe · May 2, 2007

hi Arwen

well im in Canada so rules here might be a bit different. First off we have no private doctors. My family doctor is part of the public health dpt, as are all family doctors.

Second all positive skin test results over 10 mm are reported to Public Health, so mine already has been reported by my Family doctor.

The respirologist ( i was referred to him by my family doctor, i.e. public health) i saw, determined that i do not need to take the medication, and he doesn't see the need in the next 5 years or so. He wrote up a letter to my family doctor indicating so and his reasons why. I will be attaching a photocopy of that letter to hand in to my nursing school, and my school also does not require any1 to take the medication if the chest X-ray is clean.

Of course, i will have to do follow up surveys and chest X-rays.

Anyhoo thats my story of being exposed to TB. I will inevitable be taking the medication someday, but not today.

madascanbeRNtobe · May 2, 2007

hi crawlyberry

my nursing school specifically asked for titre to determine Hep B immunity regardless of when immunzations or boosters were given.

If the results came back as non-immune, we would be required to have a round of three booster shots.

You should tell your clinical co-ordinator your situation, she will let you know, whether the old titre will do, or if you need a new one.

I personally never had a Hep B vaccination, so am starting from scratch, and am not in the same boat.

hope that helps

CrazyZanyMad

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · May 2, 2007

hi Arwen
well im in Canada so rules here might be a bit different. First off we have no private doctors. My family doctor is part of the public health dpt, as are all family doctors.
Second all positive skin test results over 10 mm are reported to Public Health, so mine already has been reported by my Family doctor.
The respirologist ( i was referred to him by my family doctor, i.e. public health) i saw, determined that i do not need to take the medication, and he doesn't see the need in the next 5 years or so. He wrote up a letter to my family doctor indicating so and his reasons why. I will be attaching a photocopy of that letter to hand in to my nursing school, and my school also does not require any1 to take the medication if the chest X-ray is clean.
Of course, i will have to do follow up surveys and chest X-rays.
Anyhoo thats my story of being exposed to TB. I will inevitable be taking the medication someday, but not today.

I must've missed the part about your being in Canada. Sorry!!

Glad you're out of taking the meds, at least for now.

suehp · May 8, 2007

I had my TB test done at 10 am this morning and I have a slight pinkness around the area - I measured it and it measures 18mm. It isnt hard or sore just pink. I know it was done this morning and I have to go back on wednesday to have it read by my Employee Health but anyone know if it is likely to get smaller before wednesday? Or heard of anyones being big at day one but then getting smaller by the 48-72 hr mark?

I am getting worried now as I have had a bad cough for a couple of days - thought I may have caught it off my son when he came home from school coughing...my husband has the cough too but I have heard a lot of people with bad coughs (so not just me)

I had one done last year and it didnt react at all....

suehp · May 8, 2007

Meant to add that there is no induration or swelling just pink area. If I run my finger over my arm and close my eyes (LOL) I cant feel a thing!!!

thomask · May 8, 2007

I tested positive too!!!!!
I didn't complete the INH therapy though.... I couldn't take it anymore. I was exhausted and drained and on top of my allergy medicine I didn't want to move and I became very depressed.... Once I stopped taking the INH I felt fine... Oh yeah and I lost over 35 pounds for the 5 months I was on it...
This apparently doesn't happen to very many people... So on top of my ever so crappy allergic to everything status, now drugs make me sick.. guess I'm just lucky

35 pounds???? umm where can i get some of this stuff?