Tested Positive for TB Skin Test due to BCG Vaccine HELPP! :(

[shakeyy 78]

Hi Guys!

I  received a mandatory BCG Vaccine (for Tuberculosis). It was given at birth and in 1st Grade. (Really common in Asia and Tropical Countries)

 I've read online that BCG Vaccines will make the skin test positive.


Anyway, I did TB Test, and its looking like its going to test positive since i'm getting a little reaction on my skin.. I'm aware that Chest Xray is my next step. 
I'm pretty sure it will come out clean since i had done one recently.

I'VE read in forums that doctors might prescribe medication for 9 months which is potentially damaging to the liver

 

Questions:

-ANY of you guys had similar experience? did you have to do medication?

-Is this going to affect the whole AOS process?

 

My biggest concern is if doctors recommend treatment since its potentially a health hazard. Its so bad if I drink unwarranted medication. 

 

Thank you

 

Edited December 10, 2017 by shakeyy

[audacieux89 256]

I had the bcg vaccine too...and i am non reactive or negative for tuberculosis.

 

Skin test is a screening tool and not diagnostic. The xray and sputum test are the diagnostic tests. Those tests are where doctors base the need for medication (tb positive).

 

I only had an xray done and no skin test for my medical and all was clear.

[geowrian 22,338]

As you are aware, they will do a chest x-ray. If that comes back clean then you should be fine. If not, they will require additional testing. I'm not sure what Canada does (sputum cultures or an IGRA blood test), sorry. But that will provide a very strong indication of the presence of TB or not. The BCG vaccine won't impact those tests.

Edit: You're doing AOS so what Canada does doesn't matter. Whoops~

 

If there is actually TB, then you must be treated and cleared before AOS will be approved.

 

1 hour ago, shakeyy said:

My biggest concern is if doctors recommend treatment since its potentially a health hazard. Its so bad if I drink unwarranted medication. 

1) It's not unwarranted if they have reason to believe you have TB. TB kills. And TB can be very contagious.

2) All medication has side effects. Most medicines for a headache or general pain can pose a risk to the liver.

Edited December 10, 2017 by geowrian

[ajs1984 28]

This article on the USCIS website says:

 

Quote

Q. What is my skin test is positive and my chest x-ray is normal?
A. If you are diagnosed with Class B, Latent TB infection, the civil surgeon may recommend you go to the health department for further assessment and preventative treatment. However, it is only recommended (not required) that you get assessed by the local health department. The civil surgeon can immediately sign Form I-693 and give it to you in a sealed envelope provided that all other examinations are up-to-date, and you can be medically cleared for immigration purposes prior to the referral to the health department TB control program.

This is explicitly stating that if you test positive, get the x-ray, and that's negative, you might still have latent TB (or not; could just be the BCG as you said), but either way it wouldn't require immediate treatment and isn't grounds for blocking your adjustment. If you've had a chest x-ray before and nothing came up, I wouldn't be worried.

Edited December 10, 2017 by ajs1984

[Newbie608 103]

Some doctors won't even prescribe the pills, you'll just have to do an annual CXR or the Quantiferon Gold blood test.

 I also had the BCG vaccine as a baby so I know my TB skin test will always be positive. It's also not a good thing to get a TB skin test all the time knowing that it'll be positive. Skip the skin test and do either the chest x-ray or the blood test annually and you'll be good.

[Nelly17 10]

When I went to the doctor's office, I told them I already know it will be positive. So I skipped the test and did the chest xray. The result was fine (I already knew it would be fine because I had to do a chest xray 5years ago in my freshman year of college - so I wasnt worried). The doctor filled out the form for uscis and according to the copies that they gave me, everything is fine. Dont worry. I didnt have to take any further medication. 

[shakeyy 78]

10 hours ago, audacieux89 said:

I had the bcg vaccine too...and i am non reactive or negative for tuberculosis.

 

Skin test is a screening tool and not diagnostic. The xray and sputum test are the diagnostic tests. Those tests are where doctors base the need for medication (tb positive).

 

I only had an xray done and no skin test for my medical and all was clear.

Did you do the tests in Philippines or here? Did you come on K1 visa?

 

THank you

[shakeyy 78]

10 hours ago, geowrian said:

As you are aware, they will do a chest x-ray. If that comes back clean then you should be fine. If not, they will require additional testing. I'm not sure what Canada does (sputum cultures or an IGRA blood test), sorry. But that will provide a very strong indication of the presence of TB or not. The BCG vaccine won't impact those tests.

Edit: You're doing AOS so what Canada does doesn't matter. Whoops~

 

If there is actually TB, then you must be treated and cleared before AOS will be approved.

 

1) It's not unwarranted if they have reason to believe you have TB. TB kills. And TB can be very contagious.

2) All medication has side effects. Most medicines for a headache or general pain can pose a risk to the liver.

I see.. THanks for the info. I just sort of freaked out because i saw posts from way back that people who became positive with skin test but cleared on xray still had to see a specialist and was recommended for medication thats why i wondered if they will actually diagnose TB based on the skin test and xray wouldnt matter

 

 

3 hours ago, Nelly17 said:

When I went to the doctor's office, I told them I already know it will be positive. So I skipped the test and did the chest xray. The result was fine (I already knew it would be fine because I had to do a chest xray 5years ago in my freshman year of college - so I wasnt worried). The doctor filled out the form for uscis and according to the copies that they gave me, everything is fine. Dont worry. I didnt have to take any further medication. 

THank you!! its such a relief!!

[shakeyy 78]

5 hours ago, Newbie608 said:

Some doctors won't even prescribe the pills, you'll just have to do an annual CXR or the Quantiferon Gold blood test.

 I also had the BCG vaccine as a baby so I know my TB skin test will always be positive. It's also not a good thing to get a TB skin test all the time knowing that it'll be positive. Skip the skin test and do either the chest x-ray or the blood test annually and you'll be good.

Thank you  so much for the info... Unfortunately i didn't know all these thats why i did the test last friday and its now looking like its positive haha

[shakeyy 78]

7 hours ago, ajs1984 said:

This article on the USCIS website says:

 

This is explicitly stating that if you test positive, get the x-ray, and that's negative, you might still have latent TB (or not; could just be the BCG as you said), but either way it wouldn't require immediate treatment and isn't grounds for blocking your adjustment. If you've had a chest x-ray before and nothing came up, I wouldn't be worried.

Thank you! Straight from the horse's mouth!!!! 

[No-Where-Man 147]

Had the same vaccine and I always test positive for the TB test. However, I had an xray and that was sufficient for the embassy back then. Good luck

[Dutchster 1,107]

I've been treated for TB (1994) and if they do a Mantoux test, it will still show up positive. I just had to have a clean x-ray (in my case, twice. One for the K-1 medical examen and one one week after entering the US).

Having a clean x-ray is most of the time suffice.

Edited December 10, 2017 by Dutchster
typo

[shakeyy 78]

11 minutes ago, Dutchster said:

I've been treated for TB (1994) and if they do a Mantoux test, it will still show up positive. I just had to have a clean x-ray (in my case, twice. One for the K-1 medical examen and one one week after entering the US).

Having a clean x-ray is most of the time suffice.

Did you see a Civil Surgeon for yours? and after Xray he gave you the I693?

41 minutes ago, No-Where-Man said:

Had the same vaccine and I always test positive for the TB test. However, I had an xray and that was sufficient for the embassy back then. Good luck

Thank you!!!

[Dutchster 1,107]

No. I adjusted from K-1, so I did not need a I-693 or civil surgeon for my (waived) aos interview.

So basically, every K-1 applicant HAS to get an x-ray done. Of course, I mentioned being treated for TB in 1994 and that any skin tests (mantoux) will show up positive. Any way, for the Embassy, my clean x-ray was enough to process my visa but upon entering the US, the TN Department of Health was being informed about my arrival and I had to get a second x-ray done at a special place.

If you get your I-693 filled out, mention to the civil surgeon you have been vaccinated for TB. It's rare they do a skin test unless they suspect you carry the TB bacteria. If you carry the bacteria, the skin test will show up positive. If you have the disease, it will show up on the x-ray. You'll be just fine. You were only vaccinated. It's not like you suspect you carry the bacteria or disease.

[maryLu 58]

X ray should clear you without any problem, there's also the IGRA blood test. Do not do the skin test, you can get a strong positive reaction.