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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
PPD Skin Test and asymptomatic PTB
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PPD Skin Test and asymptomatic PTB
by pinoy, Oct 08, 2006 12:00AM
I'm from the Philippines, where almost everyone is exposed to tuberculosis at one time or another. During a pre-employment medical exam, they saw something in my chest x-ray and reported to my employer that I have a minimal PTB Class 5 suspect. They suggested that I see an internal medicine doctor.
Actually about 5 yrs ago, they started seeing something in my chest x-ray which was described to be a possible scar from PTB. But I haven't been diagnosed with PTB before. I had 2 chest-xrays every yr for the past 2 yrs and nothing was reported. But this year it was there again. I went ahead and had a PPD skin test about 30 hours ago. So far, there's no induration yet. I'm seeing the doctor on tuesday, almost 72 hrs after the test, and also to discuss the results of my chest xray.
I consider myself very healthy. I never had had any cough problems for as long as I can remember. I rarely get sick, have fevers, etc. I workout in the gym and have been playing badminton seriously for the past 8 yrs, 3-4x a week.
If my xrays are positive for PTB, but I do not show symptoms of PTB, will I be still classified as PTB positive and not be cleared for work?
Please help me. I'm just worried.
Actually about 5 yrs ago, they started seeing something in my chest x-ray which was described to be a possible scar from PTB. But I haven't been diagnosed with PTB before. I had 2 chest-xrays every yr for the past 2 yrs and nothing was reported. But this year it was there again. I went ahead and had a PPD skin test about 30 hours ago. So far, there's no induration yet. I'm seeing the doctor on tuesday, almost 72 hrs after the test, and also to discuss the results of my chest xray.
I consider myself very healthy. I never had had any cough problems for as long as I can remember. I rarely get sick, have fevers, etc. I workout in the gym and have been playing badminton seriously for the past 8 yrs, 3-4x a week.
If my xrays are positive for PTB, but I do not show symptoms of PTB, will I be still classified as PTB positive and not be cleared for work?
Please help me. I'm just worried.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Oct 16, 2006 12:00AM
, Oct 16, 2006 12:00AM
Having lived in the Philippines and having changes on your chest x-ray that suggest latent tuberculosis (TB) could mean that you had an old TB infection in the past. You may be a candidate for preventive treatment. A positive PPD skin test increases your risk of developing TB. Unless you have a cough and ongoing changes on your chest x-ray, you would not be considered a risk for spreading TB. So you should not be limited at work.
Member Comments (1)
by aninyam, Mar 30, 2008 08:12PM
A related discussion, about ptb minimal was started.
