Anyone ever have a TB shot? What does a red mark mean after 5 days?

[Stepharoonie!]

For my new job, I was supposed to get a TB shot....I have to return to the clinic on Friday for the reading. It's still very red, but not swollen...but HURTS. Any ideas on if this is normal or not?

 

[Pop Daddy]

It means your sexy

 

[Stepharoonie!]

No, I don't think that means I'm sexy It sure as heck doesn't look it!!

 

[bigmerle1966]

You've had a reaction to the shot for sure but what I am not sure. Is it raised or just red?

 

[Stepharoonie!]

It's not raised at all, but it's very red and VERY sore. Don't even like touching the area.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

This sounds gross, but do you know what a fresh ringworm spot looks like? All red and BIG? That is exactly what this looks like (but it's not ringworm...I watched the lady poke that spot with the needle).

 

[poohandwendy]

I think a positive result is skin that is risen and bumpy.

From medline:

After 48 to 72 hours, if the result is positive, the skin will appear red and swollen like a mosquito bite where the antigen was injected. A negative test result may be a bit red but will not be swollen and firm like a mosquito bite.

 

[poohandwendy]

This sounds gross, but do you know what a fresh ringworm spot looks like? All red and BIG? That is exactly what this looks like (but it's not ringworm...I watched the lady poke that spot with the needle).

Unless your skin is raised, I don't think you have anything to worry about. Does the skin feel any different in that spot when you run your finger over it?

 

[Stepharoonie!]

A lot smoother than the rest of the arm...which is weird...

 

[poohandwendy]

Does it feel stiff or hard?

 

[Stepharoonie!]

It does feel a little itchy, and sort of stiff.

 

[bigmerle1966]

You may have a swelling where the tuberculin was injected. The health care worker will measure this swelling and tell you if your reaction to the test is positive or negative. A positive reaction usually means that you have been infected by someone with active TB disease.

What if I have a positive test for TB?
If you have a positive reaction to the TB skin test or the QFT, your doctor or nurse may do other tests to see if you have active TB disease. These tests usually include a chest x-ray and a test of the phlegm you cough up. Because the TB bacteria may be found somewhere other than your lungs, your doctor or nurse may check your blood or urine, or do other tests. If you have active TB disease, you will need to take medicine to cure the disease.

Here's some more info for you.

 

[liamsaunt]

I'm pretty sure that if you had TB, the result would be raised--like a rash, or little pimples, all around where the four-prong was inserted. Don't you have to wait for the official results anyway?

You may just be having a muscular reaction to the shot--think about when you have a tetnus--you can't raise your arm all the way for days afterwards!! The "smoothness" could be swelling where the shot was put in. Of course, you know the real answer: if you are concerned in any way, contact your REAL doctor!

 

[Stepharoonie!]

I'm not totally worried about it...but a lot of people at work notice it and act a little concerned (I'm working in a hospital now). I talked to one of the nurses where I had it done yesterday, and they said they wouldn't even consider seeing me until Friday...so, I guess it's not a big concern to them.

 

[RitaZ.]

Some people that had the BCG vaccine will have a positive TB test. Do you know if you had it? If the test is positive, they will do a chest x-ray to rule out TB.

I worked for a doctor years ago and this happened to some patients when they came in for school physicals.

Good luck!

 

[Kimi313]

Hey I work at the pre-school program at our church and we have to get tested every year. I had one that sounds like yours but it didn't hurt and I was told the only thing that really means is that you have been exposed to it and not that you have it. If they do anything you would have to have a chest x-ray. But I really don't think the test are accurate, saying that you have been exposed not that you have it, because I started working there 6 years ago and had a test every year, another girl the next year after having the test 6 years had the same kind of reaction. And then my brother who works at the hospital has to have one every year and his looked worst than both of ours and they say it is fine. So I think two things 1. after having the test year after year you begin to have a reaction to it and 2. why make you take one if they don't really mean you have it, the only way one can tell the have it is with a chest x-ray. And if you look at the stats of who gets infected it is people from a poverty stricken third world country, people with the HIV, or elderly people. Basicly people with low immune system. So unless any of these apply to you I wouldn't worry about it and if they say it is positive then they will tell you to take a chest x-ray and tell you you are fine and give you a pat on the back.

 

[MScott1851]

Lots of people have a localized reaction to the proteins in the TB test...it's not necessarily a positive reaction. Also, if the injection was more subcutaneous as opposed to transdermal, you might notice more irritation or bruising than you're supposed to have.

Mine turned bright red last year and I spazzed, but it was just an allergic reaction. Do you get exposed to TB a lot? I work in a ER that sees lots of indigent, homeless, and immigrant patients, have been absolutely sprayed with it from patients with active TB, and have yet to convert my test. Still negative here.

I'd also question the clinic. TB skin tests need to be read after 48 hours, not a week.

 

[luvfigment]

You should have had your PPD (TB shot) read after 48-72 hrs and if it has been longer than they will most likely have to do it over...or at least that is what we do. What they will do is if there is a "bump" is that they will mark the edges and measure how many millimeters it is and then they can tell if you had a reaction or not.

If you do have a reaction is does not mean you have TB it means that at some point you could have been exposed and they will do a CXR as previously mentioned. Also many people who were born in Southeast Asia and West Indies come up positive on TB tests.

 

[luvwinnie]

I had a mark for about 2 weeks, but not raised. I was told it was negative. I have reactions to things, so I think that's all it was.

 

[tink1978]

Yeah...I ran into this several years ago when I had to have one for work. I get a large red spot on my skin (not swollen or raised up) and it itches. I had a doctor tell me I had TB, then proceeded to take x-rays, etc and I had no symptoms. I was then told to go to the TB clinic at the health dept and they told me that I was not positive for TB. In order for it to be +, you must have a bump that feels like a mosquito bite when you run your fingers over it. You may be reactive, but that does not mean you have it.