What is the last stage of TB?

TB infection happens in 4 stages: the initial macrophage response, the growth stage, the immune control stage, and the lung cavitation stage. These four stages happen over roughly one month.

How does a positive TB test looks like?

If you have a raised, hard bump or there’s swelling on your arm, you have a positive test. That means TB germs are in your body. But it doesn’t always mean you have active tuberculosis disease. If you don’t have a reaction, your test is negative.

What if TB Gold test is positive?

A positive response to the QuantiFERON Tb Gold Test indicates towards the infection with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Although it does not mean that the person has active TB, rather it simply means that the person has been exposed to the mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium.

What happens if your TB test comes back positive?

A “positive” TB blood test result means you probably have TB germs in your body. Most people with a positive TB blood test have latent TB infection. To be sure, your doctor will examine you and do a chest x-ray. You may need other tests to see if you have latent TB infection or active TB disease.

What happens if I scratched my TB skin test?

After the test Some redness at the skin test site is expected. The site may itch, but it is important that you do not scratch it, since this may cause redness or swelling that could make it hard to read the skin test.

Is it safe to kiss TB patient?

This means that being near someone with TB disease when they cough, sneeze, or even talk close to your face for an extended period of time puts you at risk for infection. Kissing, hugging, or shaking hands with a person who has TB doesn’t spread the disease.

Is it normal to bruise after a TB skin test?

Induration is the key item to detect, not redness or bruising. Read skin tests 48-72 hours after the injection when the size of the induration is maximal.