Will a positive PPD, but negative CXR prevent me from being hired at a hospital?
No. If your CXR is clear and if they did any microscopy for acid/ alcohol fast bacilli and this were negative too then there is no issue. One can be carry the bacteria that causes TB but not actually have active tuberculosis. Many people are infected with the bacteria that causes tuberculosis, but only a few of these people go on to develop active TB, but the bacteria lays dormant (inactive) in the lungs, if this is the case, you are not able to spread the disease so there is no problem. Only active TB is an issue. And what the first poster said is silightly inaccurate. BCG vaccination can produce a positive reaction but only during a few years after the BCG is given, and the reaction is usually small. If you have a positive PPD and normal chest xray, your work might tell you to take drugs to prevent the tuberculosis from becoming active. They usually give isoniazid (INH) for nine months to prevent future symptoms of tuberculosis. Check with OH.
