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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Friday, March 19, 2010
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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Friday, March 19, 2010
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Infectious Diseases |
Exposed to TB06/25/2001 |
I recently was tested for TB via a skin test. I had redness and slight swelling for about one week, but the nurse who checked it (twice) said I was not positive. She said it indicated that I had been exposed only. Should I see my doctor about this? Is it likely that any treatment should be given?
The results of the PPD skin test are read in millimeters of induration (swelling that can be felt above the level of the surrounding skin, not redness) measured at 48-72 hours after placement. Interpretation of the results of the skin test depend on the size of the induration in the context of the health and TB exposure status of the person being tested. For example, someone with a depressed immune system or someone who has had a known recent exposure to a patient with contagious TB would have a positive PPD with 5 or more mm of induration (5 mm is less than one quarter of an inch, which is not a very big bump). On the other hand, someone who is not foreign-born, without illnesses or medical conditions, and not a health care worker would have to have 15 mm or more of induration to be considered PPD positive.Someone who is PPD positive is already infected with tuberculosis, and they should undergo a medical evaluation (including a chest x-ray) to find out if they have tuberculosis disease (which can be contagious) or if they have a latent infection (which is far more common). Tuberculosis disease must be treated promptly; treatment for latent tuberculosis infection may also be advised by the physician doing the medical evaluation. Most county health departments offer PPD skin tests and medical evaluations in an attempt to control TB.
From your question, I can`t tell if you are PPD positive or not. I recommend that you get the results of your PPD skin test in mm of induration from the nurse who placed your skin test, and take that information to your doctor or to your county`s TB control clinic (if there is one) to find out if you need a medical evaluation or not. The latest recommendations for treatment of latent TB infections can be found at the links below
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Lisa A. Haglund, MD Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases Department of Internal Medicine College of Medicine University of Cincinnati |
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