TB skin test?

Question

Hey everyone!
I work as RN in a large hospital. Part of our annual requirements is to complete TB skin test. I got mine done today( last one i had in March 2006)
I've noticed something weird about it though that got me concerned.
With every TB skin test my red mark around the test site is increasing in size.
As a teenage I could hardly see where i was stuck with a needle-there was literally NOTHING.
Nowdays every time i do the test-it feels like the reaction is getting worse.
I had my test this morning and the site is really red and kinda large, very slightly elevated.
I am concerned and just wanted to know why my reaction is worse every year?
Thanks

Answer 1

I'm an RN as well, sounds like you have seroconverted, and are now TB skin test positive. doesn't mean you have TB but you have been exposed. I worked in a large , urban facility and over time many of my colleagues have tested positive as well. You need to let employee health know, they will schedule an xray and sputum test ,most likely ,to ensure you are not active. From know on no annual TB skin test for you, xray's only. If not your reactions will become increasingly severe and may become anaphalactic.

Answer 2

Hi fellow nurse! You said you worked in a large hospital. As I'm sure you already know, with the large amount of traffic (especially in the ER) that comes in and out of the hospital, you are probably exposed on a regular basis. It is very common in island nationalities as well and if they are not coming in for TB, we have no way of knowing what the average person is carrying. Also, as you know, a large elevated red spot at the test site is a positive result. You will probably have to be put on preventitive meds to make sure you don't contract full blown TB. Good luck!!

Answer 3

you're a nurse so you already know how sometimes you can build an alergy to something right? well, that is what it sounds like to me. you might be just slowly developing an allergy to the chemical used in the test.