Can I get TB from this person?

Question

I'm 24 and have all my vaccines. I go into people's homes to do therapy with their children and today one of the parents showed me a TB test that came out positive on her arm.

Should I be alarmed? I was vaccinated against this, right?

Answer 1

A TB test is a test to see if you have TB. It is not a vaccination.

And a + TB test does not necessarily mean you have TB. Only a chest xray will determine that. I'm an RN and have given hundreds of TB tests.. Probably about 75% - 85% of the tests are false-positive.

If a chest xray shows a +TB. they will be given an oral med for it.  For you to get TB from this person, you would have to be in close contact on numerous occasions. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Like you said, there is no vaccine against Tuberculosis. And the source of the disease is not a virus it's a baccilus, a very resiliant agent which can survive a long time in its encapsulated form.

A positive skin test (a red "induration" or bubble) is not adequate to diagnose active Tuberculosis that can be spread.. Because the parent with the positive skin test will most probably be (and should be, see to it) tested further with radiography or bacteriology testing, you may want to inquire with them to see if they were given TB medication, you have every right to get on their case as a health provider/home visitor. Sometimes medication is given prophylactically (a precaution),  but it indicates the call was made based on tests and the history collected by the physician, that they may had had TB or they have been exposed to it.   If you feel that you were exposed to someone with active TB, you should ask your employer to have you tested for TB. In fact, the type of work you describe may necessitate yearly TB screening (PPD planting), planting the little temporary bubble in your forearm.

Make sure the general precautions and personal protection rules apply every time you enter inadequately ventilated areas for work. Even though the transmission of TB is airborn, those with close contact sharing utensils or other personal items have a higher chance of getting infected by an active TB case. If you know someone has TB when you are going to a home, wear a mask, or you could ask the person to wear one to prevent any spread to the immediate environment esp. if there are other children living in the same household. Most states (if not all) require that doctors who diagnose TB to report it to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) so it's nothing to take lightly. Your concern is very genuine.

Answer 3

yes there isnt a tb vaccine just a tb test but it could just be dormant they might just carry the virus and not have the desease but go get tested

Answer 4

nope you cannot just because they are a carrier (or have been exposed means nothing) I also have a positive PPD or Tuberculosis test. It doesnt mean that they have the disease they have only been exposed to it. Since i am in Peace Corps they check me every 6 months with a chest X ray