HELP! TB test positive after 14 hours?

Hi!

I had my TB test done 14 hours ago and right now its 15mm of induration/redness. It is induration and not just redness. I've always been negative, never had the BCG (I think it is) vaccination. Last negative one was last year.

Has anyone ever had a test that was positive in the first 24 hours that became negative after a while? I'm hoping it goes away in the next 60ish hours. Really panicking here, this is my dream job and I really don't want to screw it up Last edit by somuchdebt on Jun 2, '14
Quote from somuchdebtHas anyone ever had a test that was positive in the first 24 hours that became negative after a while? I'm hoping it goes away in the next 60ish hours. Really panicking here, this is my dream job and I really don't want to screw it up

There is a reason the test isn't read until 48-72 hours post test. Any reaction prior to 48hrs is inaccurate. I get a hive within 4 hours of the test. Every. Single. Time. For the past 15 years ago when the formulation was changed. A bleb or hive/welt is not a positive reaction. Only an induration under the skin (to me it feels like a peanut under the skin)

Anecdote: I have a friend who has a reaction to the skin test but doesn't have anything show up on her chest X-ray or blood work. You may just have sensitive skin. Don't panic, let the professionals do their job and read it when appropriate.

As JustBeachy said: There's a REASON why they aren't read for 48-72 hours.

TOS for medical advice. Also it is read after 2 days. Some people do have allergic reactions. There are different brands of the test. Follow potential employer policy as well.

best to know for sure. Talk to a pro

Stop panicking. There's no need for that.As one infectious disease doc told me, anybody who rides public transportation will have a positive TB test. This means that if you breathe air with enough people, it's a pretty safe bet that you will, eventually, inhale the tuberculosis bacillus, and if you have a normal immune system, you will make antibodies for it, the evidence for which is the positive skin test. I agree you have to wait for the recommended time to have it read, but even if it is positive then, remember that. A positive skin test will not "screw up" a job interview, else half the nursing staff in city hospitals would be out of work.

Quote from GrnTeaStop panicking. There's no need for that.A positive skin test will not "screw up" a job interview, else half the nursing staff in city hospitals would be out of work.

Quote from GrnTeaStop panicking. There's no need for that.As one infectious disease doc told me, anybody who rides public transportation will have a positive TB test. This means that if you breathe air with enough people, it's a pretty safe bet that you will, eventually, inhale the tuberculosis bacillus, and if you have a normal immune system, you will make antibodies for it, the evidence for which is the positive skin test. I agree you have to wait for the recommended time to have it read, but even if it is positive then, remember that. A positive skin test will not "screw up" a job interview, else half the nursing staff in city hospitals would be out of work.

Your ID doc will just have to order Quantiferon Gold. That's another TB exposure test; it requires IV draw but gives "yes" or "no" answer with better specificity and it doesn't reflect BCG in the past.It is a well-known fact that, although real allergy on components of Ppd (if it is manufactured and stored under supposed conditions) is so rare that it is almost a case of urban legend, pseudo-allergy on remnants of phenol (used in conservation of the protein reactive) is common, and activity of T-system (which is, basically, tested by Ppd) is easily and unpredictably affected by virtually everything in our existence. For example, a 1st degree sunburn can cause T-lymphocytes functions' suppression for up to 2 weeks and significant enough to affect immunotherapy, and detectable changes in baseline T- cell functional tests can be seen after female patient having unprotected sexual contact with "new" male partner as reaction of her immune system on massive "foreign" exposure. The baseline is, some people can have atypical reaction on Ppd, just like on any other test or medicine, and we just don't know why. There can be gazillion of reasons, but as only one of them (i.e. infection with TB) has any practical importance, then there are two things to do: Quantiferon and/or chest Xray.

Quote from SoonToBeNurse2013I can pretty much guarantee you that others are going to quote the Terms of Service that we can't give medical advice! Definitely consult your physician if you are concerned.

Even IF (and that's a big if) your test is positive at the 48-72 hr mark, why would you think that would "screw up" your chance for your dream job? I feel like 1/2 of our workforce (at my job) has a positive PPD. If you have a positive PPD, you will require further tests like, as others have said, a blood test or a Chest XR. As long as you do not have active TB there will not be a problem.