TB test positive... but may be neg?? Please advise...

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm worried, i took the TB test required for my CNA course (which I already paid $900 for and is only 50% refundable), and they weren't sure whether it was pos. or neg. because the reaction was 5mm in diameter, which is right on the fence. Anything more than 5 is technically positive for sure. So they did a chest x-ray.... but I won't get the results back until the 12th and my class starts on the 16th.... which means I won't have time to postpone my start date or get my money back :crying2:

The nurses said that I have most likely just been exposed but the TB is not active and I don't have any of the symptoms.... but my question is what are the chances that my test will come back negative?

PLEASE ADVISE, my livelyhood depends on this. I am planning on resigning from my job tomorrow in order to do this CNA program and eventually an RN!!!!!!

Specializes in CTICU.

My hospital only counts >10mm as positive for needing CXR etc.

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Specializes in Med Surg, ICU, Tele.

I had what looked like a positive and turns out it was just a local reaction to the PPD. Wonder why the CXR would take that long. Call them, explain your situation and maybe they can read it sooner.. Good Luck! If it turns out to be positive it's not the end of your nursing career. TB is not always active. On the bright side you wont ever have to have a PPD again...

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Specializes in nursing home.

:up:

I'm worried, i took the TB test required for my CNA course (which I already paid $900 for and is only 50% refundable), and they weren't sure whether it was pos. or neg. because the reaction was 5mm in diameter, which is right on the fence. Anything more than 5 is technically positive for sure. So they did a chest x-ray.... but I won't get the results back until the 12th and my class starts on the 16th.... which means I won't have time to postpone my start date or get my money back :crying2:

The nurses said that I have most likely just been exposed but the TB is not active and I don't have any of the symptoms.... but my question is what are the chances that my test will come back negative?

PLEASE ADVISE, my livelyhood depends on this. I am planning on resigning from my job tomorrow in order to do this CNA program and eventually an RN!!!!!!

the same thing happened to me when i started my cna classes, i done my chest xray, and everything was fine, and i had to go to the health department and they said i may have been exposed to it somehow.

but i took three this year one for work, and 2 for school, they were all negative, and i did not have to do another chest xray.

so i think the person who reads it, makes a mistake because once you have a positive reaction, they say you always will , but that is not the case with me

i think you will be okay.

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Specializes in Acute Care/ LTC.

i noticed in my career that many nurses "panic" when they see the slightest bump..sometimes it is just an allergy to something in the actual test. it sounds like you are fine. Most nurses who have seen a true "positive" will never forget it. But like someone earlier said, we can't diagnose you here.

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Many thanks to everyone who replied to this thread so far, you all have put me more at ease! I'm sure i'm fine, but I was panicking a little because I didn't want my nursing plans to crumble before my eyes!

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Yes, so I confirmed with my mom that i did receive a BCG shot when I was 3 months old, that is probably what made me test positive!

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Specializes in Peds Hem, Onc, Med/Surg.

You can still work as long as your chest x-ray is clear.......

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