If cheat x-ray shows that you don't have TB but the skin test is to prove that you have been exposed to it. Does it make sense to go on antibiotic for 6-9 months. Considering the whole mutation thing of bacteria.
2006-08-16 12:16:22 · 9 answers · asked by Amaretto 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
My skin test is positive, but that is because I have been immunized.
My chest x-ray has not shown TB in the past (heavens knows what it'll show now cause I'm coughing up a lung)
If you have been exposed in the past and fought it off, or if you have been immunized in the usual way, your lung may not have a scar.
If your lung does not have the ghon focus scar, then you should not require anti-tuberculous medication which is expensive, unpleasant and a long term thing.
2006-08-16 12:21:58 · answer #1 · answered by Orinoco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know several people who have a skin reaction to the TB test, one of whom is a doctor. All of these people had a TB immunization when they were younger which is common in Europe. They were also told they needed to be on the INH med for six months which they did not do. Did you have the TB immunization at any time in your life?
I hope this has been some help.
2006-08-16 12:22:22 · answer #2 · answered by happywhereIam 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on how much risk you're willing to take. For me, being diabetic, my lifetime risk of developing TB was 10%. I figured, 9mths of INH therapy (free from the CHD) was well worth the time and pills. Also, think of it this way: You have been exposed, but no disease-still could very well be a few bacteria in your lungs. Kill them now, with 1 drug, or let them grow and cause significant morbidity and try to kill them with 2-3 drugs which would increase the risk of side effects from the drugs. I'd do it.
2006-08-16 12:25:19 · answer #3 · answered by J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah this happened to me a couple of years ago. Legally, if you have a positive skin test, they have to give you the anitbiotics for public health reasons. You also have to notify people you have come in contact with so that they can get tested. AND you still have to be isolated for two weeks. IT SUCKS! sorry you have to go through this. It is the worst thing ever, especially when you don't have any symptoms. Get some good books and good movies. And maybe a video game system!
2006-08-16 14:09:58 · answer #4 · answered by katethefabulous 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you don't need to take antibiotics just because your ppd test came out positive ( unless you've been exposed to a person on the active stage of tb). if your xray was negative, it means that you've been exposed to it. the tuberculi lays dormant in you and unless you're immunocompromised, it won't progress to active tb disease. a sputum culture is taken for diagnosis. for active tb disease, the bacterias develop resistant strains if tb meds (INH and rifampin) are not taken for the course of the treatment and if the person is noncompliant. ask your doctor if you have questions regarding this matter. cheers.
2006-08-16 21:46:14 · answer #5 · answered by Riababy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
positive tb skin test
2016-03-27 04:57:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just a precautionary thing to make sure it doesn't act up. Now that u have had a + skin test, you will forever.
2006-08-16 12:20:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, not if your x-ray shows that everything is OK.
2006-08-16 15:18:00 · answer #8 · answered by CJBig 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes
2006-08-16 12:23:58 · answer #9 · answered by fmfcorpsmenrsexy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋