Positive or negative TB skin test?!
Question: Positive or negative TB skin test?
P/s: I always wear a jacket since after taking the tb test, does it affect anything?
I accidentally scratched it 2 times, just one scratch each time, and i scratched through the jacket, not directly and not so violently, does it still affect?
Answers:
Luong, Whether the TB skin test is positive or negative will not depend upon color or how it looks, but the size (in millimeters) of the hard lump that may develop is important. No lump or a small one means that you have not had any past TB infection. A positive lump does not mean you have to worry unless you had a negative test last year. A few TB germs many years ago could give you a positive skin test lump now and NOT be anything to worry about. In case of a positive test now, the doctor might wish to order a chest X-ray just to be sure your lungs are clear. Now sleep well and do not worry.
a doctor
Did the lump grow, or is it just itchy and red? If it is just itchy and red, it might be possible the fabric of your coat irritated the injection site? If the lump is bigger in conjunction with the increased redness and itchiness, then you may likely have some strain of TB. But I cannot see the area myself and I'm not your Dr, so I cannot say for sure, this is just a guess based on what I know from having my own TB tests before, and what you're describing. Good luck, hopefully you're fine.
They will be looking for a bump & swelling on your arm at the injection site. A hard, raised red bump means you're likely to have TB infection. The size of the bump determines whether the test results are significant.