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Positive TB Skin Test, Negative Chest X-ray. Had TB In The Past. Have Nausea. How Do I Get A Correct Report?
Okay Hello Dr. I m a 19 year old male who had a positive TB skin test and a negative Chest X-ray . I was tested about 3 years ago and was given a medication to take but since this medication Would make me throw up my food everyime I took it I stopped taking it. But now I want to Join the navy and I have to get a physical. Would it hurt me if I didn t say anything about my tb and just take The test again?
Mon, 19 Nov 2012
Hello Thanks for your query.You have recently done Montox test( Skin Test) which is reported to be positive .Please note that positive Montox test just suggests that you have suffered from tuberculosis in the past and does not indicate active Tubercular focus in your body at present So do not worry about it There will not be any problem in getting your medical test for entrance in Navy
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Anonymous's Response
Anonymous's
Response
Hello,
A positive TB skin test only means previous exposure to TB or a previous immunization with BCG vaccine. If any of the above are likely, then the positive test does not mean anything now.
A chest X Ray does not show any foci that means no obvious sign of disease and absence of upper lobe lung fibrosis is also a good sign.
The only other test they might ask you to get done is a QuantiFERON test or the T-SPOT TB test where in the level of gamma interferon release is checked on exposure of your blood cells to specific TB antigens. Based on this result, they will consider if you need any further investigations. If this test is negative, and you have had no exposure to TB in the past, then all is in the clear for you to join the Navy as per this is concerned.
Thanks.
A positive TB skin test only means previous exposure to TB or a previous immunization with BCG vaccine. If any of the above are likely, then the positive test does not mean anything now.
A chest X Ray does not show any foci that means no obvious sign of disease and absence of upper lobe lung fibrosis is also a good sign.
The only other test they might ask you to get done is a QuantiFERON test or the T-SPOT TB test where in the level of gamma interferon release is checked on exposure of your blood cells to specific TB antigens. Based on this result, they will consider if you need any further investigations. If this test is negative, and you have had no exposure to TB in the past, then all is in the clear for you to join the Navy as per this is concerned.
Thanks.
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