My PPD test came out positive; really worried

[ChooSoul]

I am a nervous wrack. It's really stressing me out. Im very anxious, scared and paranoid.

So, I just updated my PPD cause its been more than a year. It was positive. It raised and it was 11mm. I have never had a positive result with all my tb skin test ever. I was referred to get chest x-ray and I have an appointment to have it done in a week. I am very scared.

I was born in a different country so I think I must have had the bcg vaccine, but how come I've never had a positive result?

I have been in clinicals but I have never cared for a patient with TB, not that I know of...

Also, it just so happens, spring semester just ended and my clinical instructor for summer semester wants us to show our updated health records, and if we have expired or incomplete records we cant go to clinicals and will be absent. Its the summer, and classes are short and it is imperative to never miss a class/clinical.

I dont feel sick, not coughing, just not seemingly sick or whatever. In fact, i haven't had a cold or flu in more than a year.

Are they gonna find something in my x-ray? What if they do? Am I gonna be off of nursing school? I'm also worried about having absences that could lead to my failure of the classes.

Thanks for reading this long post. I'm just really worried, and I just want some sort of form of release...

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

Calm down. Breathe. You will get the chest x-ray next week which will tell if you have active TB or not. If you have no symptoms, no coughing, etc. then you will be able to continue with clinicals as before since you won't be contagious.

Oh, and I would ask your parents if they recall if you had the vaccine.

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

I agree. Calm down and just go to your appointment. You'll get an appropriate evaluation and advice and so on. Also, according to the CDC, you may or may not be technically positive for TB. Here's the link: CDC | TB | Fact Sheets - Tuberculin Skin Testing for TB

Don't blow this off though, make sure you get to that appointment for an appropriate evaluation.

[RunnerRN2015, ASN, RN]

I had a positive PPD 20 years ago. X ray was clear. I took INH for 6 months and every chest x ray since has also been clear. No big deal!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Many people have positive TB tests and don't have TB. Follow up with your PCP and do what they say. BREATHE!

We cannot give medical advice as per the TOS. Read the CDC link. ((HUGS))

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

A positive TB test means you were infected with the TB bacillus and made antibodies to it, no more, and no less. An excellent infectious disease doc told me once that pretty much everyone who ever rides public transportation has done that. Your primary care can tell you why you can stop being crazed about it.