TB skin test positive- X-ray Negative. Can i go back to school?

Question

Hi, I'm trying to be a CNA in NHC here in TN.
However, i got this TB skin test and after 3 days, my instructor told me that I'm positive. I said.... How can I be positive if I'm not even coughing at all?
then she told me it's probably because I'm exposed to bacterias of TB.
Then she told me to go to a doctor (where it's all free of charge; meds,x-ray). but X-ray is negative.

Will I have a complication if I drink the meds? I'm 18 yrs old though.

And the most important question is.......



Can I go back to school again? even though I'm taking those meds but negative on TB from the X-ray?

if not.... then how would I be able to have my career started?


(T-T)

Answer 1

Get the state health department involved in this. It may be that you have an allergy to one of the components in the TB solution. I have also run across (and please do not think I am discounting your instructor)that people do not know how to read the TB test. It is not the amount of redness, it is the amount of the raised area (in-duration). If the physician felt you were positive it would need to be reported to the State dept. of Health and you would be given meds free of charge. If , in fact the test was positive, then the index (first source) needs to be identified and treated as well. It is important that you follow through with this not only for yourself, but all people around you. The physician will tell you when you can return to work. Proper medical follow up and it should not effect your career. It is important not to ever allow anyone to give you a TB shot again. You would need an xray. Hope I am not misleading you and I do not want to scare you.

Answer 2

Let me just add that you may have a choice about taking the drugs or not taking the drugs. Most people who have a positive skin test and a negative x-ray don't develop full blown TB.

I'm sure you can go back to school if you're taking the meds but sometimes schools or employers require you to be taking the meds to go back to work/school.

"Many people who have latent TB infection never develop active TB disease. But some people who have latent TB infection are more likely to develop active TB disease than others. These people are at high risk for active TB disease. They include

people with HIV infection
people who became infected with TB bacteria in the last 2 years
babies and young children
people who inject illegal drugs
people who are sick with other diseases that weaken the immune system
elderly people
people who were not treated correctly for TB in the past
If you have latent TB infection (a positive TB skin test reaction or positive QFT-G) and you are in one of these high-risk groups, you need to take medicine to keep from developing active TB disease. This is called treatment for latent TB infection. There are several treatment options. You and your health care provider must decide which treatment is best for you."
http://www.cdc.gov/tb/faqs/qa_latenttbinf.htm

Answer 3

The TST (tuberculin skin test) is a marker of prior exposure to TB. It is VERY unlikely you will know who that is, as it could have been years ago. Public Health Units do not usually try to trace contacts if you do not have active disease (like you, who has no symptoms and X-ray is negative).
You take the meds to prevent disease. You are not considered infectious while symptom-free, even if you are on meds. This shouldn't affect your career at all.
Because you are now known as a "convertor" (you had a positive test, we assume), there is no need to ever do a TST again. It is very rare that you would have a severe reaction to one if you forget however.

Answer 4

They should have a specific policy on return to school with this situation, but it is probably OK.

You should NEVER have another TB skin test, as it will always be positive, and sometimes repeated tests can cause a big skin lesion.

Take the meds and be safe.