What happens if a person has a positive TB skin test?
If a person’s TB skin test is positive, the physician or nurse may prescribe other tests, such as a chest x-ray. These tests determine if the TB infection is in the lungs. In some cases, TB can occur outside the lungs; therefore, other specimen samples (such as blood, urine, etc.) may be collected and tested. Even if a person’s TB skin test is negative, the health care worker will review the person’s medical history, evaluate other risk factors for TB, educate the person about the negative test results, and determine if further action is necessary. How is TB infection treated? Physicians typically prescribe the medicine, Isoniazid, which will reduce the chances of the TB infection turning into TB disease. It is important that an individual being treated for TB infection precisely follow instructions provided by a health care worker. How is TB disease treated? Treating TB disease requires a minimum of four different medicines. Persons with TB disease who take the prescribed medications
