TB Skin Test

[Dani9]

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

[ObtundedRN, BSN, RN]

Alot of places do a second skin test if the first is positive, just in case it was a false positive. Maybe you should try that. And if you are a carrier, I think you only have to take the meds for about 8 weeks. I think the 9 month course is for active TB? Or maybe I have that backwards? I don't really remember.

[AprilN, BSN, RN]

So you DID have a CXR? If so, did it show the encapsulated TB? If it did, then you were definitely a positive. This shouldn't harbor you from entering Nursing School, as one of my instructors popped positive on a TB test and had to do the whole she-bang. I wouldn't worry about the antibiotics.

[RNnicu42]

I also found that I was positive when I got into nursing school two and a half years ago. My postive result was 16mm of raised area. I had an x-ray and it was negative. I was encouraged to take the medicine (INH) by my PCP. I had just turned 21 so I opted to wait. No alcohol consumption is allowed while on the medicine. I started taking the INH about 8 months ago but I can to stop after 6 weeks. It was supposed to be a nine month course of treatment but my liver function levels were rising too fast. My PCP said that I do have a slight increased risk of contracting active TB but it is not anything to worry about. I wouldnt worry about your positive results. A lot of health care providers become positive at some point in their career.

[Lovelee82]

So funny, I just had a PPD done and for the first time it was raised, red, itchy and funky looking a couple of hours after having it done. I was ready to freak out too ( starting a new job today and didnt need the delay) the next day it was gone. Seems Im sensitive to it now. After having it done every year ( sometimes twice) for the past 10 years.