2nd ppd(tb)skin test needed to be done?!
Question: when i first started volunteering(few years ago), i had a ppd(tb)skin test done, it came back positive but the chest xray was negative. so today, i go and before i can tell the nurse i had a positive result, she left and came back with the needle. was this 2nd test needed? and what does this mean? will this test come back positive too?
Answers:
if the test came back positive no you do not have to take it again ever. and no you don't have TB that just shows that you have been exposed to it. yes it will come back positive every time. in my case it is negative until i came around someone with it. from that point on the antibodies will be in my system and will always say positive. you should have just told the nurse or whoever the test was required for that you have been exposed and you do not need another. it will be in your records just show it to your employer.
Other Answers:
any time you test positive once, you have to always take the test again each time.
i work in long term healthcare and our policy is if someone has had a positive skin test a chest x ray is done. When that person requires their yearly ppd they go directly for a chest x ray at our expense.
I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.LET ME TELL YOU WHAT THE OTHERS HAVE TOLD YOU.WHEN THIS HAPPENED TO ME AND I WAS SENT FOR THE X-RAYS TOO EVERY TIME A TB TEST WAS CALLED FOR.THEN,AFTER SWITCHING JOBS ONE TIME I FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF TB SERUMS AND THAT I HAD AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO THE FIRST ONE I HAD.SO ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS FIND OUT WHICH SERUM WAS USED FIRST AND TRY THE OTHER TO SEE IF YOU HAVE THE SAME REACTION.IF YOU DO THEN JUST HAVE THE X-RAY WHEN EVER YOU HAVE TO HAVE A TB TEST.IF YOU CAN'T FIND OUT WHICH WAS USED JUST HAVE THE X-RAY.NO,YOU DID NOT NEED THE OTHER TEST UNLESS LIKE I SAID IT WAS THE DIFFERENT SERUM.
You NEVER take another test for the rest of your life. You will, however, need a chest x-ray every year in place of the skin test.
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