TB chest xray, how often to get the chest xray?

[Animaniacs, BSN, RN]

I was given a ppd skin test last year, I tested positive. The nurse tells me that if my chest x-ray turns out to be normal, then all I have to do is get a chest x-ray to be tested for tb for the rest of my life. I don't have to go through the ppd skin test again because it will always turn out positive.

I had a ppd skin test done when I was just a little kid, and it came out positive. My dad tells me I was given a bcg vaccine when I was younger. I read something about the bcg vaccine online and it says they give it on your shoulder, which gives you a permanent scar in that area of the shoulder. I looked at my shoulder and I see a scar there that I've had since I can remember. But I'm not sure if that's from the bcg vaccine or what.

Okay enough rumbling, my question is, what is the time requirements for the tb chest x-ray, is it yearly, every 2 years?

[Mimi2RN, ASN, RN]

If you haven't yet had a CXR, you will have to have one. If it's clear, you answer a questionaire every year, and shouldn't have to have another one unless you are symptomatic. The questions are about coughing, night sweats, etc.

[dollama]

I had a positive ppd and I am currently taking INH (isoniazid) in a 9 mo prophlyactic regimen. I was not told I would have to get a yearly x-ray. I was reassured that they would give me some sort of paperwork showing that I had a clear x-ray and took the 9 mos of meds, so I wouldn't have any trouble with school or career (not in RN school right now).

Did they not offer you the medicine? I was told it was optional but highly recommended. I decided it was worth taking it. Can't wait til December for a glass of wine though!

HTH

[Animaniacs, BSN, RN]

The nurses didn't really say anything about TB medications.

I took a chest x-ray last year after I was tested positive for a ppd skin test, and my chest x-ray turned out normal. I guess they didn't recommend the medications.

The nurse told me that if I received a BCG vaccine, which I did, then my skin test will always read positive. So all I need to do is get the chest x-ray.

I'm not really sure how often i need to get a chest x-ray, I guess I'll go later in the afternoon and find out.

[dollama]

True if its from the vaccine then you don't have to worry about taking the meds. I didn't think of that.

Mine is from exposure - when, who, how - I have no clue. So I have to take the meds just in case I am harboring TB walled off somewhere in my lungs.

Hope you find the answer about the x-ray.

Animaniacs said:

The nurses didn't really say anything about TB medications.

I took a chest x-ray last year after I was tested positive for a ppd skin test, and my chest x-ray turned out normal. I guess they didn't recommend the medications.

The nurse told me that if I received a BCG vaccine, which I did, then my skin test will always read positive. So all I need to do is get the chest x-ray.

I'm not really sure how often i need to get a chest x-ray, I guess I'll go later in the afternoon and find out.

[Pojomum, BSN, RN]

I've had a positive PPD since I was 13. I have no idea how I was exposed. I've always had normal chest x-rays. However, the one I had two years ago was misread which resulted in my having a CT scan and seeing a pulmonologist. Since the protocol in the UK at the time of my positive PPD at 13 was no meds if the x-ray was clear, I've never had the prophylaxis. The pulmonogist I saw in October 2009 told me my x-ray was misread that it was in fact normal and there was nothing in the CT scans. She said that I did not need to take the meds for two reasons: the older a conversion, the less likely it is to turn into active TB - she told me that for me to develop active TB I'd have to be very immunologically compromized due to, say AIDS, chemotherapy, or post-transplant medication (then I would need the meds), also, the hepatotoxicity of the meds increases with age to the point where benefit is greatly outweighed by the harm. I'm now 42 so the conversion is old and being >35 years of age, at risk of toxicity from the drugs. That's why I didn't need the meds and a note from her on my form stating this was sufficient for health clearance.

For nursing school, I have to have an x-ray every other year, with a symptom check in between. It doesn't make much sense for an old conversion given the limited likelihood of developing active TB, but there you go...

[RunnerRN2015, ASN, RN]

I had a positive PPD in the early 90s, took INH for 6 months, and have had to do chest x-rays ever since. For teaching, depending on the school/district, I had to have a chest x-ray either every 2 years or every 4 years. For nursing, I *thought* I read that it had to be done yearly but I could be mistaken.

[tokyoROSE, BSN, RN]

My program requires a TB test every year, so in your case, you would need a CXR every year.

[McBunny]

I was offered a position as LVN through Maxim Healthcare. It was all set to go but they needed a recent Negative TB test. Well, I too have had a BCG vaccine done in the Philippines and have a scar on my shoulder, so meaning that my TB test has been and will always read positive. I explained to Maxim that I had my CXR 2 years ago and it's normal, no symptoms of TB, and my doctor did not tell me to take INH or any treatment for it. Maxim denied me the position because they wanted either a TB result or Chest X Ray done within the last year. ? My Aunt who is a Nurse told me that it is not recommended that I get a Chest X Ray every year, but instead every 5 years. Do I get another Chest X ray just in case? This sucks. I was really looking forward to working, finally.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Sorry about that but this is really asking medical advice and you need to contact your healthcare provider.