ask: If in past 15 years 5 times I had documented negative TB skin test zero mm duration and redness, Does this proof I did not have TB?I was told because I came from midleast country that TB is pendemic there I have had TB before my entry to US. is it true?

Hi Anon,

Welcome to EmpowHER. Having Zero MM, is most likely you do not have TB.  Immigrants who have moved from a country with a high TB rate in the past 5 years are considered positive 10MM or higher.  This is not a perfect test. Up to 20% of people infected with the bacteria that cause TB may not have a reaction on the PPD skin test, but that can be due to certain conditions that impair the immune system (cancer, recent chemotherapy, late-stage AIDS) may cause a false-negative test result. 

Here's a link that can help

http://www.empowher.com/condition/tuberculosis

Best,

Daisy

Hi there!

Daisy did a great job explaining this to you but I wnt to add that I've dealt with this issue too and it really is paranoia without knowing the facts! I am non-American and got the BCG shot (a vaccination against TB that Americans do not get) and because all vaccinations carry a tiny amount of what they vaccinate against, it can show up as a false positive in tests. I also have come up against this in testing too, sevreal times, as I am also vaccinated against TB.

The H.R. person at the company I got a job with told people IN PUBLIC that I had TB and panicked, ran into her office and contacted her supervisor to tell her - all with the door wide open!  It was mortifying and I was sent to the hospital to talk with doctors. Thankfully they saw my vax marks and sent me on my way. Quite frankly, I should have bawled my new (health care!) company out for violating privacy laws and not being educated in vaccinations! People to calm down until the know what's going on!  

I hope this helps,

~Susan