Dani9

Thank you so much. I'm just very confused right now. Especially about that medication.

I am a student in the LPN program. Before school starts in September, I have to get a drug screen, background check, take a CPR class, and have a physical performed. All of which I have done. The last part of my physical was to go back to get them to check my TB skin test. It had got a bit red but I wasn't concerned really because I have sensitive skin along with my mother who is an RN. The only RN in the office ok'd it and wrote negative but when I was walking out, one of the med assistants looked at it and said that it looked positive. So everyone started looking at me like a goldfish and they measured it etc. Said it was positive so I did a chest X-ray and obviously I don't have active TB, apparently I'm a carrier, I've been exposed to it. Mom the RN is on vacay so I don't have anyone to flood all of my questions. They say there is a medication you take, but I hate taking antibiotics and I'm afraid it will make my stomach hurt and make me sickly, and I'm about to start an accelerated nursing program! Not a good time. The RN and my Dr said it wasn't a huge deal, that both of them had been exposed to it, the only thing is your future children could potentially be carriers? I don't know how this has happened, I haven't worked in the med field yet, I worked at a car dealership and a restaurant(which is prob where it came from) The RN said she found out the same way, before she started nursing school. So I guess my main questions are, can you still start nursing school? how important is it to take those meds and what are they? and how do you just become a carrier, i mean why didn't i get TB? I know there's a difference between active TB and a carrier but how does that happen? Would I have got sick when I was exposed and just thought it was a cold? I guess the most important one is Can I still start school?! My Dr said a lot of people in the medical field were carriers but this is the first I'm hearing of it and RN mom at the beach is a little concerned too. Please help ease my mind!! Thank you