I think my PPD is positive

I got my ppd today- last one was in May, before I started working in the ED. Now, right where my test was given, it's red about one half inch all the way around where it was injected and slightly raised (I can tell when I look at my arm at an angle). I've never had this happen before.
I'm scared. Mainly because I'm 6 months pregnant. Can I take the meds if I'm pregnant? Good grief!
I thought for sure I'd know what a positive reaction looks like, since I've never had one. But I'm sitting doing the whole "Maybe it's a local reaction and it will go away". I've marked the site, drew a line around it to see if it spreads.
-A
Don't panic yet. My arm gets red too where the shot is but by the time the 48-72 hrs rolls around it's mostly gone. It is the induration (raised part) that indicates a positive, not the redness. Some people are just more sensitive. I am allergic to nickel (cheap jewelry makes me swell up, itch) and I've just realized I am allergic to the harsh soaps at work and frequent handwashing so I now have to bring my own bar soap and moisturize after EVERY handwashing (yeah like I have time to do that!) So don't worry just yet. If you get a positive reading you can go from there. We had a couple of nursing students who got a positive reading, submitted a negative chest xray and were allowed to work but I believe they did have to take the meds.Quote from AnerooI got my ppd today- last one was in May, before I started working in the ED. Now, right where my test was given, it's red about one half inch all the way around where it was injected and slightly raised (I can tell when I look at my arm at an angle). I've never had this happen before.I'm scared. Mainly because I'm 6 months pregnant. Can I take the meds if I'm pregnant? Good grief! I thought for sure I'd know what a positive reaction looks like, since I've never had one. But I'm sitting doing the whole "Maybe it's a local reaction and it will go away". I've marked the site, drew a line around it to see if it spreads. -A

Ditto what the other poster said. It is NOT considered positive unitl it is red and indurated at 48-72 hours. Also remember that anything smaller than 5mm is also considered negative for health care workers. If it does end up being positive, you may need to take meds. I'm not sure what pregnancy catagory they fall under and you may just need to wait until you deliver. I took them and it's not a very big deal. Just relax and try not to obsess about it for the next day or two. Good luck

Relax, mine always look red and raised for the first 24 hours. Local reaction that goes away before the 48 hour read.

Thanks guys. I finally found a pic of a positive picture, and my arm certainly doesn't look like that!The redness did not increase in size, and my arm is actually more of a pink color now- not red like yesterday. No swelling. It truely freaked me out- Goodness knows HOW many of these things I've had done, and this is the first time I've ever had any sort of reaction!Thanks again!

I was doing IT work for a home healthcare agency and had to get a PPD. I had a "non-typical" reaction, not positive but still some slight redness and a tiny bit of swelling, the very experienced QA nurse who did our inhouse stuff, measured, took pictures, looked up in the book, and said it was definitley not a positive, so dont worry. She told me to expect that type of result in the future.There is another thread on here I read recently about a number of people with this type of reaction, the consensus seemed to be a possible slight allergey to the presevative in the test.

I am allergic to the preservative in some of the brands of tuberculin. I do the same thing...it gets red and raised. Don't worry!

Having grown up in the UK I was vaccinated for TB with BCG. After 5-6 PPDs I tested positive. I had a CXR it was clear, and now all I do is fill in the questionnaire each year. Don't worry about it, and if you need further testing talk to your OB. Thinking of you Celia

Quote from BalderI was doing IT work for a home healthcare agency and had to get a PPD. I had a "non-typical" reaction, not positive but still some slight redness and a tiny bit of swelling, the very experienced QA nurse who did our inhouse stuff, measured, took pictures, looked up in the book, and said it was definitley not a positive, so dont worry. She told me to expect that type of result in the future.There is another thread on here I read recently about a number of people with this type of reaction, the consensus seemed to be a possible slight allergey to the presevative in the test.

I also have a scary looking reaction when I get the ppd. The nurse who did it the first time gets the same reaction, and so she didn't freak out about it being positive. But she says that I am probably allergic to the preservatives or something else in it. Scares the bejessus out of other nurses, though. :chuckle I know it's not "funny", but I have been through it so many times! Last time I had it, the nurse was blabbering and was nervous or something and didn't look while she stuck the needle in and ended up pulling out a bit soon and squirting me in the face with the ppd. :angryfire

And even if you are positive, all is not lost. I know a woman who was diagnosed with active TB when about 8 months along and was started on meds immediately. She delivered a healthy baby and there seemed to be no question of any danger to Junior.

Quote from TazziRNAnd even if you are positive, all is not lost. I know a woman who was diagnosed with active TB when about 8 months along and was started on meds immediately. She delivered a healthy baby and there seemed to be no question of any danger to Junior.

Quote from AnerooAnnabelle MarieJan 22, 2006 at 0105Born: 6lbs11oz10days: 7lbs3oz1month: 9lbs