Conflicted over starting INH

[Cowboys_RN]

I had a PPD last week for an adoption physical and it came back positive. My last PPD for nursing school was in July and was negative. I'm pretty sure I was exposed at a homeless shelter for the mentally ill that I was at for two days during my psych rotation. My chest xray was negative. My doctor's PA called to set up an appt with my MD and said that she'll probably want to put me on INH for 6 months. A friend of mine was on INH a few years ago and absolutely hated the way it made her feel. I'm worried about taking it because I don't want to feel like crap for 6 months. I also have a newborn at home and start my new job in August. I was hired before the PPD was done. My physical for my new job is in July. I know I'm going to have to tell them I'll need a chest xray instead of a PPD. I'm wondering if they'll be relunctant to hire me if I don't take the INH.

[TazziRN, RN]

Thanks to everyone for replying. I went to the doc on Friday and she prescribed INH for 9 months. She said they don't do liver function tests anymore while on it which I thought was odd. She also didn't mention the need for me to take B6, neither did the pharmacist. She said I need to take it in case I ever become immunosuppressed. The reason I'm so reluctant to take it is several friends looked at my PPD reaction and they all thought it was negative. It was just the nurse at Kaiser that deemed it positive. It was red but was only slightly raised right where the needle went in.

I'm going to take it because I'd rather be safe than sorry. I'll grab some B6 supplements today. I already don't drink alcohol so I'll be safe in that area :)

If you doubt the results you can request the PPD be redone. I have little faith in Kaiser, if it were me I would want the test repeated.

[justpoorfect]

This year our college health nurse required me to take a 2 part PPD, the second one week after the first. Is this going to become the new standard for healthcare workers? She said it is because you can be exposed, but your body may not build up enough response to show a significant reaction with the first PPD, whereas the second will be definitive. Anybody else have this?

[TazziRN, RN]

A lot of places are requiring the two-step test, especially for new hires.

[katfishLPN]

This year our college health nurse required me to take a 2 part PPD, the second one week after the first. Is this going to become the new standard for healthcare workers? She said it is because you can be exposed, but your body may not build up enough response to show a significant reaction with the first PPD, whereas the second will be definitive. Anybody else have this?

I don't think requiring the 2 step PPD is new.

[bigsyis]

Did you hear the news yesterday and this morning from the CDC? There is a man in isolation at Grady Hospital who flew to Europe and back after having been diagnosed with medication resistant TB! For gracious sake, take the meds!