Tb test reaction. Help I am freaking out!!!?

I have had a tb skin test less than 48 hours ago, now I have a tiny red spot on my arm at the site of the test. This is my second test in a week. I had no reatction to the first test. (I am hoping to be a volunteer at a hospital and they do two tb tests before starting) Has anyone ever had this kind of reaction and does this tiny little spot mean I have tb?

A small red spot probably means the person who gave you the shot went to deep into the tissue. The shot should only go under the first layer of skin and should make a wheal (bubble) just under the skin, that should disappear within 15-45 minutes, depending on your skin type.

If you were having a positive reaction, the area would be hard, red, and raised; almost looking like a giant bee sting.

From your description, it doesn't sound like you need to worry about it and based upon that, if I were reading the test, I would have to rule it as non-reactive and negative.

Peace,

Beki

No It shouldn't be a reaction....I had mine done and it bubbled up and then turned red and then i got a bruise. If you didn't have anything wrong with the first one more then likely there is nothing wrong now!!

It could be one of three illnesses. It could be TB, Candida, or Mumps. Your doctor will let you know at the time of your examination. He will look at the bump and cross examine it with your past medical history and make a determination.

as long as its just a tiny spot you will be fine you could be reacting to the alcohol swab they used. Or just where they put the needle. There are all kinds of things that might have made it. Even the nurse that gave you the shot. She could have not done it correctly. Now if the spot gets large and it shows a huge reaction then worry.

I had a positive skin test reaction. All a positive reaction means is that you have been exposed to TB. It does not mean that you HAVE active TB. If they feel that your reaction is strong enough to warrant a positive result (usually a red raised area greater than 5-10mm) then they will send you for a chest x-ray. If your chest x-ray is negative for active TB they will treat you with a 9 month course of INH as a precaution to prevent you from developing active TB in the future. It is very common. You will need to have chest x-rays in the future and no more skin tests, as they will always be positive from now on. No need to worry. 80% of people that work closely with other people (usually healthcare workers) will be exposed at some point in their lives and incedentally, have a positive reaction.

I always react to a tb test but am never positive. Last time two nurses had to come read it because of the reaction. Don't freak out.

A positive TB test result does not confirm that the patient has active Tuberculosis (TB Disease). The patient may have a positive TB test reaction if s/he has:


been exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis
had tuberculosis before and has been cured (successfully treated)
been immunized for tuberculosis with the BCG vaccine
tuberculosis

False-Positive TB Test Results
In some cases, a false-positive reaction may result. Read more about False-Positive Tuberculosis Test Results.

More info:

http://lungdiseases.about.com/od/testing...