Tb skin test and varicella titer

[ThatGuyTom]

Turns out I need to have a recent TB skin test and a blood test to show that I am immune to varicella before entering my Nursing program and doing clinicals. My question is what if the results turned out to be positive? will I still be able to enter the program?

another question is how long does the blood test for varicella titer takes? I need it to be done in one week and was wondering how long the complete testing takes. I'm in the process of scheduling an appointment with my doctor.

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

[SQuerio]

You can recieve the varicella titer test by going to: http://www.healthtest360.com/lab_tests/varicella_titer.html

Hope this helps!

[perseveRaNce23]

A positive TB test doesn't necessarily mean that you have TB, it just means that at one point you were exposed, that's why they do the x-ray to check to see whether or not you actually have TB. Once you test positive, in the future you will always have to get the x-ray and can no longer recieve the shot. But, unless they do the x-ray and determine you actually have TB, I wouldn't worry about that.

As far as the varicella titre, you can get it done through accessa health and youo get your results in two days. I had my blood drawn on Monday and recieved my results on Wednesday for $70. Plus, the process was very easy.

[olliesmommy1005]

We had to do a 2 step TB for my school....which means I got one last Monday, had it read that Thursday then I went back yesterday and have to go back again Wednesday or Thursday to have that read.....ughhh.

For varicella, we just had to put in a disease date...I guess that's the honor system with that one.

I had to get titres for DTP and MMR...the DTP came back fine, the MMR Measles and Rubella was fine but my levels were low with the Mumps so I have to get another MMR shot when my 2nd TB is read.......all these hoops!

[Anoetos, BSN, RN]

In some parts of the world vaccination against TB is given generally, having this vaccine will prompt a positive in the PPD test, since the test is for antibodies indicative of the presence of TB at some time in the person's history and the vaccine is made from actual MT. Since TB is still fairly rare in the US (though it is on the rise I believe) we don't vaccinate against it, though who knows, that may change and TB may become just a titer like MMR and Varicella.

A couple young women from India in my program came back positive on their PPD's because they had been vaccinated as children. All they had to have was a chest X-Ray for the presence of pulmonary tubercles. Not a big deal, just another step.

[cnmbfa]

HINT: Make about 10 copies of the Varicella titer and keep them where you can find them easily. You will need to submit this to every single agency and employer you encounter for the rest of your working career, so have it handy.

I would STRONGLY advise everyone to get the Hepatitis B vaccine. You will be constantly exposed to blood and other body fluids as a nurse, and can easily pick this up through a small break in your skin or through a splash to your eyes. It can also be picked up from sex, and you can transmit it to a baby while giving birth.

While Hepatitis B itself may not be a life-threatening disease in a healthy young adult, contracting it gives you a 10% lifetime chance of developing liver cancer. Liver cancer is often detected late, and can kill you. Get the vaccine to prevent that from happening.

I will be first in line when they come out with a Hepatitis C vaccine. It is an even nastier virus.

[MissDDM]

How long does the varicella titer test take to process? I am already in rounds, but our deadline for these 2 test(TB and V) is monday and we are in the hospital 6a-6p every day (lunch break only).Can I get this done in the hospital that I am working in? (yikers!)

[mommywithplenty]

TB test is a skin test where the results can be read in 48 hours later, some schools want a two step, meaning another test is needed in 1 week. The varicella test depends on the lab you use, mine took a week to come in, worse comes to worse you could just get the booster. Normally your family Dr preforms the test( send you out to get the blood test though), health units may test as well.

[lillymom]

I went to the health dept. to get my varicella titer. I had it drawn around 2:00 on Friday and it was back on Monday morning. They don't work weekends there so I am guessing it was actually done on Friday. It will take longer if they have to send it to an outside lab.