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

If you have TB then the injected area will swell. Just for the record this test isn't 100% accurate. You could have TB and you skin might not have swollen or it could mean you don't have TB but were exposed to it.

Think your doctor will tell you to have a sputum culture done and chest x-ray to be 100% sure.

Answer 2

The "tine" test will show a reddened, somewhat swollen reaction if your body has antibodies against the tuberculosis bacterium. This does not necessarily mean that you HAVE tuberculosis, however - it simply means that you have been exposed at some point in your life. My father is a good example of this; even though he never had tuberculosis, he was apparently exposed to it at some point in his life; although his immune system obviously fought it off at the time, he has antibodies, so he always has a reaction to the test. If you have a reaction, you would be sent for chest x-rays or a CT scan to rule out active tuberculosis. Also, a person who has had tuberculosis but has recovered will always have antibodies, and thus will always have a positive reaction to the test.

Answer 3

You'll know if you react to the TB test - it apparently looks pretty bad. I always get a tiny red dot right where the needle goes in that goes away in a day or so. The first time I panicked and called the doctor who explained that it wasn't anything to worry about. The four pronged "test" is probably a meales/mumps/rubella vaccination that you received as a child.

Answer 4

This test done is called as Montaux test done in the forearm under the skin to fine out if there is tuberculosis disease anywhere in the body or if there is suspicion of that dies ease in the body. If there is the disease, the area where it is injected will have welling called erythema . If it is more than eight centimeter es the disease is confirmed . Less than that we call it negative and not confirmation of the disease. Other tests are X-ray chest if the lungs are affected or any part , that part of the xray is taken If there is sputum because of the disease then the sputum culture is done. ESR reading more than 15 mm is taken ,as confirmation..

Answer 5

Also.......even if you DO have a reaction to the TB test....that does not mean that you have TB. They have to do xrays and other testing. So even if you get a reaction--don't panic.

Not sure what 4-pronged test you mean?

Answer 6

If you do not have TB you will show no reaction at all at the spot where you were injected. If you are positive, then the injection place will be red and raised (swollen).

Answer 7

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantoux_test

the test criteria are on that page