Positive PPD

Trauma Columnist · Jun 17, 2003

Positive PPD as I'm sure you know doesn't mean you have TB, just that you have been exposed to it in the past. Good luck...

CCL"Babe", BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2003

I believe there was a thread on this topic just a few months ago.

I too have a positive PPD after triaging some one who ended up getting tubed and having TB. I took INH briefly but had to go off of it early due to an adverse reaction. It has been many years, and I have never had a problem. I remember one of my nursing instructers giving us a startling statistic about the number of nurses who convert to positive PPD. I don't remember the number, and hopefully it's lower now.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2003

I know you are concerned but I believe the care you are receiving is appropriate and sufficient. Try the Center for Disease Control Site for more info.

http://www.cdc.gov

BadBird, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2003

I had a positive ppd in 1999, I chose not to take the treatment offered and I have never had a problem. The statistics I was told by the infection disease MD are that with treatment your chance is 3%, without 7-10%. I weighed the pros and cons of the treatment, you must be extrememly careful with your liver, no drinking (which is not a problem for me), other side effects and made my informed decision. I have had a few chest xrays throughout the years as follow up and Thank God, no problems. Try not to stress about this, just know the signs and symptoms such as cough, malaise, etc... and notify your health care provider if you should have any problems.

sanakruz, ADN · Jun 17, 2003

I think prophylactic treatment is entirely appropriate as TB is still a big threat to public health. There are many (too many) people here in CA with full blown TB.

atownsendrn · Jun 18, 2003

I have never been faced with your situation. But I hope that you will find the answers that you need.

berry · Jul 15, 2003

most likely the only thing it means is no more yearly ppd test. I popped positve in basic training in 1997 did the INH thing no questions asked it was like the 3rd day of basic training if they had told me they were going to give me 10 IM a day i would have agreed anyway no problems since and never had anything show up on a chest xray and working in the er i have been exposed to many times to count to tb since then.

bargainhound, RN · Jul 15, 2003

It should not be any problem to you...just a fact to add to your health history and to be aware of symptoms in case you are ever

debilitated.

galenight, BSN, RN · Jul 18, 2003

tjgouws,

I, too, converted to a positive ppd about a year ago. I took the course of INH, and besides the wierd side effect of breast tenderness, had no problem. I kinda stressed about it at first, but now I figure I'm just covering all bases. I've also had a needlestick, back injury, assault, latex sensitivity (not true allergy thank god.. i just avoid latex), and a bout of scabies thanks to a "rash" of it in our er/clinic. The way I see it, I'm running out of things to happen to me as an ER nurse...lol

Anyway, I feel confident that the INH did it's job and that will be the end of it. Odds are, you will be fine, but I'll keep you in my thoughts just the same.

good luck

tjgouws · Jul 18, 2003

Thanks everybody for your info and support. I am in my second month of taking the INH and so far no major side effects. People just look at you funny when you say you are taking meds to prevent active TB (eg. Dentist office). What do you fill in on questions about medical history??

graysonret · Jul 18, 2003

I've been positive since 1988. Took the prescribed meds and now, I have a cxr every few years. Comes with working in a homeless shelter. L. Once every 2 years, the agencies I work with require that I visit the tb clinic here and fill out a questionaire. I was exposed to tb....nothing else. :)