tb test xray negative skin results positive

[selenef]

what to do when tb x-rays come baack negative but positive skin results









This discussion is related to Positive PPD, negative chest xray.

[Nata40]

Don't do anything!  I am in exactly the same situation. Fortunately, my family Dr. told me I shouldn't take anything as TB meds cause liver failure. You can live another 60-70 years and never develop an active TB. Just keep your immune system strong, i.e. exercise (outdoors, not in a gym) and eat right. Stop worrying and, more importantly, don't listen to Drs. who will want to push dangerous, unnecessary drugs onto you. If you really want to be healthy, stay away from med.drugs. You can always see a naturopathic dr. or research herbal supplements that strengthen the lungs and boost immunity. There are plenty!

[Sunny602]

A positive skin test might just mean that you have had exposure to enough TB to cause an immunological reaction to test. If your xray was negative, then more than likely you do not have active TB, but you could have what is called latent TB which is why many doctors prescribe prophylactic antibiotics for 9 months or so. In conjunction to the xray, the doc might order a sputum culture to check for TB.
Here is a link that describes the PPD test and what it means: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/tuberculin-skin-tests?page=3
Sunny

[creatiive]

hey,

There is quite a difference here as to how different places would deal with this.

I contracted TB in america (active) after living with it for some time without it being diagnosed.  I found that for people with positive skin tests results but negative x-rays (people who had been close to me for some time whilst i had active tb) the american doctors would prescribe Isoniazid for a 9 month period to anyone with a positive skin test.  The doctors back home in england would not do this, and thought of it as completely un-necessary.  My parents who actually lived with me whilst i was in isolation for 3 months were told by the american doctors to take an isoniazid course immediately,  whilst the doctors back in england told them that they did not need to do this.   (It has been 4 years and my parents have never shown any sign of active tb).

The arguement made by an english doctor i saw was that a person may never in their life display active TB with a positive skin test alone, and that giving everyone who had one a 9 month course of isoniazid was very bad practice.   Whereas in america, i assume they are more worried about lawsuits and stuff...