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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
positive tb test?
Answered by
MN
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis
positive tb test?
by dizzyknee, Jan 13, 2008 12:17PM
My arm is red where I had the injection with about a 1.5-2 cm diameter. There is is a slight bump but not a big one. I go tomorrow to get it screened but I just want to be prepared if it is positive.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish Health, Jan 16, 2008 04:34PM
, Jan 16, 2008 04:34PM
A positive reaction is determined by the size of induration, which is the hardness or nodularity to the touch and not by redness, no matter how large. If it is positive you will have a chest x-ray. If the chest x-ray is normal or negative, and you are age 35 or younger and have no risk factors, for example AIDS or a recent exposure to a person with active tuberculosis (TB), you will probably be advised to take a medicine called isoniazid (INH) for 6 months or so, for prevention or prophylaxis. If you are over age 35 and have risk factors, you will be tested by blood and sputum for active TB. If TB is found, you will be treated with 2 or more medicines. If there are no signs of active disease, but you have risk factors, you will be advised to take INH prophylaxis, despite being 35 or older.
