tuberculosis test!!??

Question

i got a tuberculosis test done yesterday the one where they inject you right under the skin. well i was just wondering what is normal and what is not normal. what do they look for if you have tb. like i want to know what to look for so i no if i have it or not because i am paranoid when it comes to these things. and another question i thought the tb test was a four pronged thing. if its not do you know what test that is?? any help would be wonderfull thanks.

Answer 1

The four prong test is not used anymore. A positive test will develop a welp around the site and usually become red. A small bump and slight red appearance is to be expected. The redness, because you have aggrevated the skin, and the bump because they are actually injecting a very minimal amount of inactive TB under the skin. When you have been exposed to TB your body produces specialized "T CELLS" to try to fight it off. If, after having the skin test, the site becomes hard and raised, it is because your body detects the TB bacterium and is sending these specialized cells to the site.

Answer 2

Not necessarily. A person can have a positive Mantoux test but not have tuberculosis. If a person was exposed but didn't develop an active case of the disease their body would still react to the antigen in the test. However, he might have tuberculosis. Wait until the spot is checked by a medical professional. They will measure the size of the spot and how much it is raised up from the surrounding skin to decide if he has a positive test. If he does, then further testing will be indicated to see if he requires treatment.

Answer 3

The TB test is a simple injection of a preservative under the skin. The test gets read 48-72 hours after the injection. An abnormal test, I haven't seen one in person but I do know what to look for, is a raised bump at the injection site. It could also be slightly discolored. Do not worry if the test is slightly raised. The bump has to be taller than a certain measurement. It is actually very difficult to get TB unless you have had a prolonged exposure to someone with active TB. I'm sure this is just a quick formaility, don't worry.

Answer 4

Tests for Tuberculosis may include:
Chest x-ray
Sputum cultures
Tuberculin skin test
Bronchoscopy
Thoracentesis
Chest CT
Interferon (IFN)-gamma blood test. This type of test looks for an immune response to proteins produced by M. tuberculosis. In December 2004, the FDA approved the QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT-Gold) test as an alternate to the traditional tuberculin skin test (TST).
Rarely, biopsy of the affected tissue (typically lungs, pleura, or lymph nodes)
Please see the webpages for more details on Tuberculosis, PPD Skin test and Mantoux test.

Answer 5

The four pronged method isn't done anymore because it was inaccurate. Even if you did have a positive reaction you would then be told to get a chest x-ray to see if you actually had TB. I've never seen a positive test either, I've been an RN for 10 years.

Answer 6

the tb test used to be with the four prong thing but they have changed it to what u just had. if the spot gets really red and irritated. u will definately know if its positive. some people have hives. it will get slightly red, but you'll know if its positve. don't forget to have it checked it 72 hrs or you'll have to get another one. and if u do test positive you always will. you'll never have to have a tb test again. it will be a matter if the tb is active or not. i work in the hospital and have to get them every year.

Answer 7

http://www.webmd.com/hw/infection/hw207352.asp

I read the prong test is rarely used anymore because it has been deemed inaccurate.