TB testing

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Med-Surg and ER.

Due to job changes, I have found myself in a situation where I have received 4 TB tests in a 4 month period of time. They have all been negative. What, if any, effect will this have on me?

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Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

None that I am aware of.

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Specializes in cardiac/critical care/ informatics.

You should get a copy of the results, so that you don't have to keep doing them over. They are your test results you have the right to request them.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

The CDC states the tests are not harmful. They are not a vaccine. But I agree that keeping a copy for your records is a good idea.

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Keep a copy of your results. They are good for one year from the date of the test. If you have concerns, see your PCP.

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Specializes in M/S, US Army, Hospital Registry.

The only side effect is that you may potentially begin to test as positive. That's what happened to me after I was serially tested in the military (x4 in 18 months due to lost records during TDY and transfer). One of my physicians that I work with thought I may have had an allergic reaction to a preservative or some other benign element of the suspension, but after that I just got a chest x-ray, and I've never had a TB skin test since. It looked like a positive, but it took a couple weeks to clear up and it did itch. AFTER that incident, I worked in a Native American population where active TB was all around me, but I have never had symptoms, and my CXR was still clear. I used to get them every other year, but now I am only required to fill out a questionaire, and I avoid the funky left forearm spot. I agree with caliotter3....get your own copy of the results and keep them handy. That's what I should have done.

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When you have a copy of the results, you can present copies to however many employers or schools require the info. And you also have a copy available for prospective employers when you are job hunting.

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I had 2 PPD's done at a hospital where I was working PRN & when I went in for my pre-employment phys at another hospital, they wouldn't use my 2 PPD's.

I'd only had them done about 1 month prior, but I was told it was part of the employment process & had to be done.

However, I've not had any issues with a false positive - this time at least.

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