Nurse with positive TB Blood test/QuanteFERON test. Will I still be employed?

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Hi Everyone,

I am very depressed at this moment. I recently had a QuanteFERON test or the TB Blood Test done and it showed a POSITIVE result however it is low-grade. I had BCG vaccine done when I was born and another one when I was about 10 years old. The doctor said that it might be false-positive due to the BCG vaccines I've had in the past and he suggested that I take the Mantoux test/ TB skin test. I've read so many articles and forums online to gain more information about my situation and they're quite confusing. Some articles say that QuanteFERON test is not affected by the BCG vaccine and it is more accurate than the Mantoux test. Others say that QuanteFERON or the Mantoux Test may show positive result if you had been exposed to TB disease, if you have had BCG vaccine or you have TB disease. I did not realize that BCG is not common in Australia however it is mandatory in my country, the Philippines, to have everybody vaccinated with BCG.

I was assessed if I am experience other symptoms, but I do not have cold sweats, coughs, pain chest, weight loss, less appetite, etc... I DO NOT have them all. The doctor, however, explained that if I have the TB infection, I may have the "Latent" infection instead of the "Active" one because I do not have the other symptoms. This means I do not possess the signs and symptoms, I cannot pass on the infection to someone else since it's considered as "sleeping".

I am very worried about my condition and my plans in the future. If worst scenario happens, that I have latent TB infection, I understand that I will have to go through antibiotic therapy for 6-9 months. I am doing a work training program for my nursing course and in the next 2 weeks, I will be searching for jobs in the acute hospitals or in aged care as a division 1 nurse. Will the employers still accept me? I've heard that once you are positive with QuanteFERON TB Test, it is most likely you will get a positive result again in the future even after antibiotic therapy. I am very worried that I won't be able to get a Nursing job because of this. All my hardwork in school, the amount of money and time I spent might end up nowhere. I really want to practice nursing.

If you have any idea you can share, I will greatly appreciate it.

Thank you very much.

Queenie Latifa

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

We can't give you medical advice per the terms of service. Best of luck!

Sent from my iPhone.

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I do not believe it will minimize your chances of getting a job. Having worked for occupational health, I can tell you that when we do our new hire screenings with IGRA testing for TB, we get many that come up positive we just follow protocol and employees just have latent TB. I would talk with the department that will do your new hire screening occupational health or employee health office.

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I do not believe it will minimize your chances of getting a job. Having worked for occupational health, I can tell you that when we do our new hire screenings with IGRA testing for TB, we get many that come up positive we just follow protocol and employees just have latent TB. I would talk with the department that will do your new hire screening occupational health or employee health office.

I am so glad to see your comment. May I know what are your protocols for employees with latent TB? and when will the nurse be cleared to start working?

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Positive IGRA test --> interviews with RN or PA for symptom questionnaire ---> chest X-ray and referral to health dept or personal physician ----> health dept/physician will decide whether to order a sputum test and will prescribe prophylaxis. As soon as the hospital receives the letter that states "employee may return to work" we clear the employee to go to orientation as long as everything else is also cleared on the employee's other screenings (drug/nicotine/immunization status)

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For those who already have a documented prophylaxis treatment all we require is an interview with our RN/PA for questionnaire and a recent CXR is sufficient we will still do the IGRA test but will not repeat the CXR if it is within 12 months of hire

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Once all documentation is reviewed by the RN/PA and is to satisfaction, no referral to the health dept/personal physician is needed and the employee can be cleared for orientation. Other hospitals may have other protocols

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Rest assured that you are not the only one who goes through this and hospitals are equipped with knowledgable employee health staff that can address any questions you have about this.

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Not sure if the respond poster is working in Australia. There would not be large amount of Australians coming up with positive QuanteFeron. Would not be doing any nursing around patients for school until cleared. It is not a usual medical request when applying for work, but morally it would be expected that you would attend a respiratory physician and be totally cleared before practising as a nurse.

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Specializes in CTICU.

Call employee health dept at the hospitals you are interested in working at and ask their policies about this.

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Hey there! I believe too that such positive test will now hinder your future applications. Many nurses specially from the Philippines become positive due to the exposure only. but it does not mean you have it in the active stage.

I am also hoping to receive any insight regarding the status of Hepatitis B in New Zealand. I have a fiancee who is Hepatitis B positive with normal liver function. Can I know the chances of her being able to become a Permanent Resident of New Zealand. And if so, which authorizing approves such cases?

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hi does anyone know how much IGRA will cost me in st lukes? thank you?

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