Tuberculosis Forum - What does it mean to test positive for Tuberculosis (TB-test
medical questions | health forums

What does it mean to test positive for Tuberculosis (TB-test

New Topic  This topic is locked: you cannot edit posts or make replies.  Ask A Doctor - Offline
Medical Questions-> Health Forums -> Tuberculosis -> What does it mean to test positive for Tuberculosis (TB-test
Author Message
DoctorQuestion
Doctor Question

Doctor Question
Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 3223
Thanks: 19
Thanked:0
What does it mean to test positive for Tuberculosis (TB-test
Posted: 01-23-06 10:18am

In August2005 took a routine physical for a job I had applied for.Results for the TB test were positive.No symptoms and chest x-ray were normal.
My primary doesnt want me to take the medicine because I am 50 years old( I dont have any of the risk factors and cant imagine how I picked up the GERM)Now the health Dept is calling me to encourage me that it is ok to take these drugs.My primary tell me that they can cause liver damage.
I recently had my gall bladder taken out.I am worried,scared and really dont know what to do.Is there another test to confirm the results of the first one?Could a low functioning gall bladder(HIDA was 15%)cause a false positive result?I am VERY worried.


Did you find this post useful?
|
DoctorAnswer
Doctor Answer

Doctor Answer
Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 16777211
Thanks: 32
Thanked:0
Tuberculosis Answer A923
Posted: 05-23-06 05:01am

The gall bladder has no connection with a positive TB-test. Doctors test for tuberculosis using a Mantuh-test, or PPD-test. Positive PPD-tests indicate an allergy to the antigens of the germ Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TBC-germ). All people who are vaccinated against TBC (BCG-vaccine) have a positive PPD-test. Are you vaccinated against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, or not? People who became infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and then defeated the infection successfully also test positive for PPD. People who became infected but did not overcome the infection and became ill from TBC have a positive PPD-test, too. We can’t be sure in which group you belong. Therefore, the health department has reccommended that you take the medicines as a preventative measure against contracting TB. You can consult a specialist for TBC, a pneumophtisiologist, with further questions and concerns.


DISCLAIMER: "Ask a Doctor" Questions are answered by family doctors who practice medicine for the general public. For more information about eHealthForum.com medical experts, please visit our About Us page. You may also visit our Tuberculosis Forum, for moderated patient to patient support and information.

The material presented in the eHealth Forum Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified licensed medical professional. eHealth Forum and eHealth Forum's Ask A Doctor advises all users with health problems and concerns to consult their personal doctors. Furthermore, if you have any questions or concerns about your condition, you must consult your qualified licenseced medical professional before starting any treatment.

The materials in the eHealth Forum Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. To the fullest extent possible, eHealth Forum and eHealth Forum's Ask A Doctor expressly excludes all liability in respect of the information and opinions contained in the Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor, this Web site, or any sites linked to this Web site.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Related Topics
This Forum This Category All Forums
Jump to:  
New Topic   This topic is locked: you cannot edit posts or make replies.



We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information:
verify here.