Question 1

what is the most accurate test to diagnose plural tb?

Accepted Answer

Biopsy: That is the gold standard.

Question 2

why do we do tb tests, and not just vaccinate against tb?

Accepted Answer

Imperfect vaccines: At the present time, we don't have a very effective vaccine against tuberculosis.  Bcg vaccine is used in some countries and provides some protection during childhood, but the protection wanes with time.  For that reason, it is less likely to be used in countries like the U.S., where TB is far less common.

Question 3

what will happen if you take 2 tb tests in the same month?

Accepted Answer

Nothing bad: It's not harmful. In fact, it can sometimes increase the sensitivity of the second test (the "booster effect").

Question 4

will always test positive to tb if u have had before. but it has been cured?

Accepted Answer

Probably: Positive PPD skin test means you have living mycobacterium tuberculosis in your body.  You may never develop active disease, but potential for reactivation is always there, but if you have been treated, the risk is minimal.  If you ever require immune suppression in treatment for another condition be sure and let the doctor know that you have inactive tuberculosis and do not get tested ever again.

Question 5

i'm just wondering, if you test positive for tb does that automatically mean you have it?

Accepted Answer

Exposure not disease: A positive TB test indicates past exposure to the bug that causes tb. Whether you have active TB disease or not depends on whether you are symptomatic or have signs of TB disease on chest xray or other appropriate tests based on your symptoms. Those that only have a positive TB test but none of the above have latent tb. Talk to your doctor who can do additional tests to figure out if you have tb.

Question 6

does a tb test hurt?

Accepted Answer

Not really: It is a tiny needle, just within the layers of the skin to create a fluid bubble. Takes a few seconds to apply.

Question 7

what is a 2-part tb test?

Accepted Answer

Outdated?: May be tuberculosis skin testing?

Igra or quantiferon gold blood testing is at least as good or even better. Discuss with your doc. 

The blood test is usually better than the skin test.

Question 8

what does a + tb test look like?

Accepted Answer

Positive PPD test: A positive TB test should look like hard, raised bump with size &gt;5to15 mm depending of the risk category you are in. It should be read in between 48 to72 hours. It  is the hardness and not redness which is read. Thanks.

Question 9

can i have a tb test with a cold?

Accepted Answer

Yes: The memory cells for TB are in the body and the test will still be valid if positive. The only problem are in people who have lower immune system but not quite bad enough to cause reactivation as they can develop anergy or false negative test.

Question 10

what does a positive tb test mean?

Accepted Answer

Chest X ray: It is possible to have active TB with very little symptoms especially early on. However, it is more than likely that you carry the germ for TB in a dormant form, this is called latent tb. No symptoms are expected with latent tb.

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Doctor answers about:

Tb feron test

A member asked:

What is the most accurate test to diagnose plural tb?

A member asked:

Why do we do tb tests, and not just vaccinate against tb?

A member asked:

What will happen if you take 2 tb tests in the same month?

A member asked:

Will always test positive to tb if u have had before. but it has been cured?

A member asked:

I'm just wondering, if you test positive for tb does that automatically mean you have it?

A member asked:

Does a tb test hurt?

A member asked:

What is a 2-part tb test?

A member asked:

What does a + tb test look like?

A member asked:

Can i have a tb test with a cold?

A member asked:

What does a positive tb test mean?

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