Question 1

what does it mean if i have a negative tb skin test yet a positive blood one?

Accepted Answer

IMMUNE PROBLEM: Both tests detect prior exposure to TB.  A situation of diminished immune function, called anergy, can make the skin test appear negative. If you have a positive blood test you will need to have a CXR to exclude active infection and may need prophylaxis .

Question 2

if you have a tb skin test and it turns a little red and looks like a bug bite is this a positive or negative test?

Accepted Answer

Depends : On the size of the swelling or induration. This is why they need to be seen and read 48 hours after being placed.

Question 3

what do you suggest if my previous tb skin test while negative while current is positive?

Accepted Answer

Need care!: Your TB test has turned positive - this is very significant. The guidelines are very clear what needs to happen now with further diagnostic studies, including chest x-ray, and then treatment. If your primary care doctor is not comfortable caring for TB, see infectious disease or pulmonary specialist ASAP to begin evaluation and care. There are great ones in Columbus area - call for appointment now

Question 4

if i had a positive tb skin test but a negative xray do i need medication? my doctor didn't say i did

Accepted Answer

Positive PPD: If you have a positive tuberculin test and a negative chest xray many doctors will oder a sputum culture. If you have a positive sputum treatment is indicated. However, many doctors will treat prophylactically with isoniazid for protection

Question 5

i got a tb skin test a week ago and i still have a red bump on my arm. they told me it was negative. i was wondering if this is normal?

Accepted Answer

Not unusual: You did go through a process where your skin was pierced producing a minor injury. Healing time afterwards varies with the individual. The positive/negative readout is based on the size of thickening/redness at the time it is read.

Question 6

i just had a tb skin test done last week and i had it read and they said it was negative however i still have a little red bump how do i get rid of it?

Accepted Answer

PPD Test: You likely get a small skin reaction to TB test that is not large enough to be called positive in your case. It is a type of delayed hypersensitivity reaction due to immune cell infiltration and inflammation. You can put otc cortisone cream on the lesion 2-3 times a day to make it go away faster.

Question 7

is it okay to donate blood if i had a positive tb skin test but negative chest x-ray?

Accepted Answer

Positive skin test: You can donate blood as long as you dont have active tb.

Question 8

tb skin test negative, quentform tb test negative, bone marrow biopsy results indicative of tb (reacts to ziehl niehlssen), pcr negative. how come?

Accepted Answer

No...actually: The zn stain is a broad stain for acid fast bacilli of which mycobacterium tuberculosis is one of many.  The specific tests like quantiferon or the pcr test are against you having tb.  The culture is the "gold standard"  but you will need to wait for it.  It might turn out  be a cousin of TB and that too will grow out of culture.  Stay on TB meds until they are certain of the AFB positive organism.

Question 9

tb skin test done this am.it is red with 1/2in induration. woke up feeling bad,weak,no fever, strep test neg., sore throat. side effect of test?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: You likely have a cold and the Tb test is incidental.  The test agent is not live and thus should not cause any systemic symptoms.

Question 10

is it okay to tan after tb skin test?

Accepted Answer

Yes: There is no reason to alter your schedule after a TB skin test.

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Doctor answers about:

Picture of negative tb skin test

A member asked:

What does it mean if i have a negative tb skin test yet a positive blood one?

A member asked:

If you have a tb skin test and it turns a little red and looks like a bug bite is this a positive or negative test?

A member asked:

What do you suggest if my previous tb skin test while negative while current is positive?

A member asked:

If i had a positive tb skin test but a negative xray do i need medication? my doctor didn't say i did

A member asked:

I got a tb skin test a week ago and i still have a red bump on my arm. they told me it was negative. i was wondering if this is normal?

A member asked:

I just had a tb skin test done last week and i had it read and they said it was negative however i still have a little red bump how do i get rid of it?

A member asked:

Is it okay to donate blood if i had a positive tb skin test but negative chest x-ray?

A member asked:

Tb skin test negative, quentform tb test negative, bone marrow biopsy results indicative of tb (reacts to ziehl niehlssen), pcr negative. how come?

A member asked:

Tb skin test done this am.it is red with 1/2in induration. woke up feeling bad,weak,no fever, strep test neg., sore throat. side effect of test?

A member asked:

Is it okay to tan after tb skin test?

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