Has anyone ever had a positive TB skin test?

[GobBluth]

...but never had symptoms of TB? Apparently there is latent TB which can live in the body forever and never get the host sick. Latent TB also is not contagious. If that is the case, and let's say a TB skin test was part of your job, how would that affect things?

GB

 

[dullard]

The TB skin test is horribly unreliable because it reacts if you have had the TB vaccine, or if you have latent TB (about 1 out of 3 people worldwide), or have recovered from TB, or for many other reasons.

Right now, it wouldn't affect my job at all. But years ago, it would have been a problem since I was doing research work in that field. A false positive could have prevented me from going into the BSL-3 and BSL-4 labs.

 

[Strk]

It just means you'd have to get a chest x-ray. Most non-Americans will test positive on the PPD because of the BCG vaccine.

 

[maddogchen]

my friend got chest x-ray and then took some drugs for 3 months. That's about it.

 

[Gibsons]

my friend got chest x-ray and then took some drugs for 3 months. That's about it.

The chest x ray was positive?

 

[Anubis]

...but never had symptoms of TB? Apparently there is latent TB which can live in the body forever and never get the host sick. Latent TB also is not contagious. If that is the case, and let's say a TB skin test was part of your job, how would that affect things?

GB

I am of these people

and i'm sure if it was part of my job and could be medically explained there would be no issue

 

[Red Squirrel]

Got a TB test done, but was negative. It made a huge red circle though, I started wondering if it was positive so went to check with the nurse asking if it's normal. But it was all good.

 

[maddogchen]

The chest x ray was positive?

no, i think it was indeterminate.

 

[Gibsons]

no, i think it was indeterminate.

hm. That's an expensive drug regimen, but you can't take chances with a potentially infectious tb carrier.

 

[Strk]

Got a TB test done, but was negative. It made a huge red circle though, I started wondering if it was positive so went to check with the nurse asking if it's normal. But it was all good.

They're looking (well, feeling) for induration, not redness/puffiness.

 

[Linux23]

I took a TB test a few times and failed because I didn't study.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I got tested every year when I worked for the schools and prison system. Now that I'm back with uncle Sam, they don't care.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Yes, I show positive every single time I take the skin test, probably due to latent TB (my grandfather had TB at one point when I was small and I may have been exposed). As a kid, my pediatrician would just make me get chest x-rays instead.

I switched doctors 10-15 years ago and he wanted to do the skin test and I warned him that I'd show positive. He didn't believe me and ran the test anyway and sure enough......

 

[TallBill]

Ugh, used to transport detainees with that shit. Quite a few of the guys I worked with popped hot on their TB test.

 

[Gibsons]

Ugh, used to transport detainees with that shit. Quite a few of the guys I worked with popped hot on their TB test.

That really sucks.

Honestly... :hmm: I think I'd rather break my finger than get a real exposure to tb.

 

[eng2d2]

Sputum and xray would confirm if you need to take meds for 6 months. It would be a cocktail of daily 4 drugs regimen for 3 months and reduced to 2 drugs the last 3 months. If you do have tb you will be monitored by the health dept for daily intake of medications. However the last 3 months you can opt for biw treatment.

If you have a drug resistant tb then your treatment will last 1.5 to 2 years with strict monitoring and different drug regiment that is stronger than regular tb meds.

The meds you take for tb are very strong regardless if its regular or drug resistant tb.

 

[edro]

This thread has opened my eyes.
Time to wiki TB.

About 80% of people in many Asian and African countries test positive while 5–10% of people in the United States population tests positive by the tuberculin test.

As of 2015, tuberculosis appears to be widespread among captive elephants in the US. It is believed that the animals originally acquired the disease from humans, a process called reverse zoonosis. Because the disease can spread through the air to infect both humans and other animals, it is a public health concern affecting circuses and zoos.

Ugh.