Flu Shot and TB test taken 7 days apart okay?

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I had a flu shot yesterday (11/13) for work and am scheduled to take a TB test on 11/20 as part of my pre-nursing physical. Will the flu shot alter the result of the TB test? I noticed a phrase on the school's physical form that mentioned not to take the TB test within 6 weeks of a vericella vaccine and so am concerned that I should reschedule. (I realize that a flu shot and the vericella aren't the same thing, but still the question arose.)

Thank you for your help!

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I don't know if the TB test will come out messed up because of the flu shot, but I would go ahead and do it anyways unless your doctor/NP/whoever tells you not to. You'll know in 2 days if the test is normal (for the PPD skin test anyways) and if it's messed up then you can wait a bit to redo the TB test. I would hazard a guess that the only reason they tell you not to do varicella at the same time is because the vaccine can give some people a few lesions that may look like the blister shown in a positive TB skin test. Just my :twocents:. Good luck!

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That makes sense. I will confirm with the nurse then when she gives me the test. Thank you!

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You're welcome! I'm going through the same thing right now trying to get all my immunizations in order to start school in January and I know how stressful it can be!

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Annieh1315 said:
I had a flu shot yesterday (11/13) for work and am scheduled to take a TB test on 11/20 as part of my pre-nursing physical. Will the flu shot alter the result of the TB test? I noticed a phrase on the school's physical form that mentioned not to take the TB test within 6 weeks of a vericella vaccine and so am concerned that I should reschedule. (I realize that a flu shot and the vericella aren't the same thing, but still the question arose.)

Thank you for your help!

It might specifiy varicella because varicella is a live (attenuated) virus. The flu shot is not a live virus. If it didn't specify flu shot, I wouldn't worry.

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