Hello all. I'm a pre-nursing student, and I was intending to take a CNA course next semester to gain some experience. It required a two-part TB test. The first part was barely negative, and the second (read today), was inequicovably positive.
I was told that I'll need to have a chest x-ray done (next Thurs.), and that I should never again have a Mantoux test done, because it will always be positive.
If the CXR is positive, I know that I'll have to take antibiotics for a while. That doesn't bother me. What I need to know is how this will affect my career plans. Will having a positive skin test, let alone a positive CXR, have a serious adverse effect on getting accepted to any RN programmes, or being hired in any kind of health care?
I'm about at the point where I don't know whether to laugh or screech. :stone
I tested positive a year and a half ago. I felt like you are feeling now. I had a chest x-ray that came back negative. My NP encouraged me to follow a 9 month Isoniazid treatment (versus 6 mth). I must have yearly chest x-rays and can NEVER have a skin test performed again. You will get documentation that you need to have to prove it. My nursing school has it on file along with yearly x-ray proof. Best wishes to you and don't worry.
Oh almost forgot..........I did have to have frequent liver tests done along with the INH treatment. As for side effects on the medication, I did have mild diarrhea and upset stomach the first few weeks but went away and never had them for the rest of the 9 months.
kiyatylese: I was born in Germany, but on an American military base. I've never had a BCG vaccine, and had negative TB tests upon re-assignment to Fort Hood, TX, in 1991 (I would have been 3), and again in 1993.
Nurse Ratched: Hehe, "frothy!" I'm not getting frothy, just minorly spastic
Mave: PPD refers to the material injected subcutaneously in the test. I think you mean TB?
Thanks to the rest of you for advice, comfort, and tips. I'll sleep better tonight :)
RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN
8,498 Posts
I tested positive a year and a half ago. I felt like you are feeling now. I had a chest x-ray that came back negative. My NP encouraged me to follow a 9 month Isoniazid treatment (versus 6 mth). I must have yearly chest x-rays and can NEVER have a skin test performed again. You will get documentation that you need to have to prove it. My nursing school has it on file along with yearly x-ray proof. Best wishes to you and don't worry.