positive ppd skin test

suzanne4, RN · Mar 24, 2006

Of course, they can be a nurse here. First, there are many from other countries that have positive PPDs due to receiving BCG when they were younger.

And if CXR is clear, no issue at all. Even with something on CXR, once treatment is in progress, and the CXR shows clearing, then they are admitted.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Mar 24, 2006

If the x-ray is negative, more than likely the PPD was a false positive. Some country's give their children a vaccination (can't think of the name) that causes PPD's to falsely test positive.

suzanne4, RN · Mar 24, 2006

The vaccination is BCG.

That is why the US Embassy in all countries requires the CXR, they do not use the PPD for TB testing.

jubilee · Mar 24, 2006

Of course, they can be a nurse here. First, there are many from other countries that have positive PPDs due to receiving BCG when they were younger.
And if CXR is clear, no issue at all. Even with something on CXR, once treatment is in progress, and the CXR shows clearing, then they are admitted.

I do know too many people from eastern europe ,africa...have the same issue (positive ppd skin ) due to BCG vaccination.

in the united states once your ppd came up positive with negative chest x-ray ..they ask you to take tb preventive medicine.

and here the problem :this type of medicine is exteremly harmful.. and may damage the liver!!!

I have 2 question to ask:

*did every nurse have to take ppd skin test? remember once the test is done..the result gonna be positive for ever.

*anybody have real experience with this issue?

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 24, 2006

I do know too many people from eastern europe ,africa...have the same issue (positive ppd skin ) due to BCG vaccination.
in the united states once your ppd came up positive with negative chest x-ray ..they ask you to take tb preventive medicine.
and here the problem :this type of medicine is exteremly harmful.. and may damage the liver!!!
I have 2 question to ask:
*did every nurse have to take ppd skin test? remember once the test is done..the result gonna be positive for ever.
*anybody have real experience with this issue?

If you have a negative chest xray, I don't think you are required to take the medication.

I don't know how it is to get into the country. But I know Filipino nurses here that don't take the ppd, because as you say once positive, you are positive forever, so there's no need to retake it over and over again. Where I work if you have a history of positive ppd, you sign a statement that you've been asymptomatic of the disease and that is that, no yearly chest xrays required.