Help RE: Tuberculin test

emy912 · Jul 28, 2007

I'm from the Philippines so before coming to the US when I was younger, I received a BCG vaccine so PPD testings are always positive. I'm required to have chest x-rays every 5 years and my doctor simply writes a note stating that the x-ray is negative for lesions and that I'm cleared to work in the health industry.

seiko · Jul 28, 2007

I'm from the Philippines so before coming to the US when I was younger, I received a BCG vaccine so PPD testings are always positive. I'm required to have chest x-rays every 5 years and my doctor simply writes a note stating that the x-ray is negative for lesions and that I'm cleared to work in the health industry.

but my doctor checked the box NOT DONE on the form I693. did your doc also checked the same box when you had to file the similar form.

seiko · Jul 28, 2007

Is suzanne or lawrence somewhere there???

Please help me. I am so worried.

suzanne4, RN · Jul 28, 2007

Did you actually have a CXR submitted in place of the TB skin test? They need to see that there is proof that you do not have lesions on your x-ray if you did not have the actual Mantoux test done, and also list a reason why it was not done.

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And for the other poster above that is from the Philippines:

You have incorrect information as far as always being positive after having the BCG vaccine. That is no longer the case, and if it is more than 15 years since you had the vaccine and you are showing up positive, then it means that you have been in contact with someone with TB and have built up antibodies to it. In areas where TB is prevalent in the US, the infectious disease doctors are actually treating those that have the positive PPD after so many years ago being vaccinated with the BCG.

And many facilities are testing those that had BCG and requiring the PPD skin test for the above reasons.

You may want to consult with an infectious disease doctor that specializes in TB to get the current information from them. You are basing things on information that is no longer current.

emy912 · Jul 28, 2007

I forgot to add that I did take INH for 6 months as a precautionary measure.

suzanne4, RN · Jul 28, 2007

That was a very important detail that you had left off of your post. Glad to hear that you got treated. And that means exactly what I posted above; that they are treating if it has been more than 15 years since the BCG, and you are still positive.

Thanks for updating us.

seiko · Jul 28, 2007

Did you actually have a CXR submitted in place of the TB skin test? They need to see that there is proof that you do not have lesions on your x-ray if you did not have the actual Mantoux test done, and also list a reason why it was not done.
----------------------
And for the other poster above that is from the Philippines:
You have incorrect information as far as always being positive after having the BCG vaccine. That is no longer the case, and if it is more than 15 years since you had the vaccine and you are showing up positive, then it means that you have been in contact with someone with TB and have built up antibodies to it. In areas where TB is prevalent in the US, the infectious disease doctors are actually treating those that have the positive PPD after so many years ago being vaccinated with the BCG.
And many facilities are testing those that had BCG and requiring the PPD skin test for the above reasons.
You may want to consult with an infectious disease doctor that specializes in TB to get the current information from them. You are basing things on information that is no longer current.

I had done chest x-ray for that purpose only But I am not sure whether my doc submitted the results along because when he gave me the medical examination documents he gave me in a sealed envelope.

suzanne4, RN · Jul 28, 2007

I had done chest x-ray for that purpose only But I am not sure whether my doc submitted the results along because when he gave me the medical examination documents he gave me in a sealed envelope.

That may be where the problem is. Suggest that you follow up with the physician and find out what he wrote on the documents submitted. Suspect that is where the problem is, that he just put that the PPD was not given, but did not provide the needed information that they needed there.

Follow up with him first.

seiko · Jul 28, 2007

That may be where the problem is. Suggest that you follow up with the physician and find out what he wrote on the documents submitted. Suspect that is where the problem is, that he just put that the PPD was not given, but did not provide the needed information that they needed there.
Follow up with him first.

Okay suzanne I will do that.

Thank you very much for your info.

suzanne4, RN · Jul 28, 2007

You are quite welcome. Could be something as simple as they forgot to check off one little box on the form, but that can make a world of difference for you.

a21chdchic · Jul 28, 2007

Keep all of your documentation of the positive PPD, and having recieved the 6 months of INH. I also have to get an annual CXR and documentation from an MD annually stating I am free of clinical signs of TB. I have to show all of this info each time I start a new job, and the annual CXR and MD documentation annually for my employer. And this is all for a positive PPD.