If you test positive, you'll need to take medication -- for several months, in most cases -- to cure it. The injection site must be examined by a health care provider within 48 to 72 hours. The TB skin test is left uncovered for 48 to 72 hours 1. With a latent infection, you'll have a negative chest X-ray and a negative sputum test. A second skin test may be administered in one to two weeks to verify negative status. The TB skin test is performed by injecting a small amount of fluid (called tuberculin) into the skin on the lower part of the arm. Diabetes, kidney disease and previous inoculation with BCG vaccine may also alter the results. The only sign that you have a TB infection is a positive TB skin test or blood test. The results are recorded on the screening form in millimeters of induration (redness and/or swelling) ranging from 0 mm upward.

People who have been infected with TB may not have a positive skin test (known as a false negative result) if their immune function is compromised by chronic medical conditions, cancer chemotherapy, or AIDS. To be considered a positive reaction, the site must also be raised or swollen. If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately. A small bubble resembling a blister should result. Anyone with positive results should be evaluated immediately for possible active or latent TB and treatment. A small sample (0.1 ml) is injected directly under the first layer of skin on the forearm. Any redness is measured across the diameter. According to the Centers and Disease Control and Prvention, induration of less than 10 mm is considered negative. The Lot number, manufacturer and expiration date of the PPD solution should also be included. The size of any red area should be measured and recorded, but noted that no raised area is felt which determines the negative status. Inserting the needle too deeply can affect the accuracy. The nurse or physician should feel the site as it may be difficult to visualize the raised area. Prescreening clients is also key to accuracy. This information must be documented to support the exception. The date, time and site of the TB skin test is documented on the report form 1.

The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data. Your results will be interpreted by your doctor a couple of days after the test. Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious disease. If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately. What Are the Side Effects to the Tuberculin Test. Anyone with a positive HIV status or altered immune status may be considered positive, after further evaluation, even if the induration is as low as 4mm. Kathy Quan RN BSN has been a nurse and a writer for more than 30 years. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. The result depends on the size of the raised, hard area or swelling. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made. Factors such as recent exposure to TB, HIV status, drug use and any underlying immunosuppressive disorders such as cancer can affect results. The size of the raised area is documented as mm of induration. You’ll be given a chest x-ray to test for TB. The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. It is important for nurses and physicians to understand how to properly administer and read the results of a TB skin test to document the findings correctly 1. In that case, your doctor may want you to have another TB skin test in 8 to 10 weeks. However, the general health status of the client may change this. A purified protein derivative (PPD) skin test is a test that determines if you have tuberculosis (TB). If the site is not raised, the result is considered negative. Any additional information such as recent exposure and symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, night sweats, should be documented. It is designed to produce a localized skin reaction in persons who may have TB. Is This an Emergency? Recent exposure to live virus in other vaccines may also alter the results. Exposure to Mtb can result in either active TB … Quan writes for several websites including UltimateNurse.com and NurseTogether.com. If the result of the x-ray is not clear you may also be asked to give a sputum sample (phlegm coughed up from your lungs). It’s caused by an infection of bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). A negative TB skin test is required for admission to a variety of institutions such as schools, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, as well as for employment purposes such as for teachers, day care or health care workers 1. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is extremely infectious and can spread rapidly.

The client should not disturb the site during this time. Copyright © 2020 Leaf Group Ltd., all rights reserved. This test measures your immune system's response to the bacteria that causes tuberculosis. The site may itch and become reddened, but should not be rubbed or scratched. A tuberculosis skin test is also known as the Mantoux tuberculin test. Additionally, 10%-25% of people with newly diagnosed tuberculosis of the lungs will also have a negative result, possibly due to poor immune function, poor nutrition, accompanying … She is the author of four books including "The Everything New Nurse Book" and "The Everything Guide to Caring for Aging Parents." A person given the tuberculin skin test must return within 48 to 72 hours to have a trained health care worker look for a reaction on the arm. The PPD (purified protein derivative) test solution contains Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens, not live bacteria. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. It is important for nurses and physicians to understand how to properly administer and read the results of a TB skin test to document the findings correctly 1. If the site is clear, the results are recorded as 0 mm.