Nursing student diagnosed with TB

[Samsonsmom]

I’m a first year nursing student and I just took my TB skin test to go back to school in the fall. My skin test was positive and I was sent for an x-ray. The X-ray showed some infiltration and said TB could not be ruled out. Now I’m waiting for the results of my blood test and I am so worried it’s going to keep me from finishing my degree! I know that after a few weeks of treatment that you are no longer contagious and I don’t go back to school for 2 months but I’m afraid the school will just deny me. Can anyone clarify this for me?

[Soul01]

The general view is that people are not infectious or pose a very low risk after 2-3 weeks on full treatment.

The doctors need to decide if you have latent or active TB. If actIve, then you want to start medication ASAP.

In the UK, people can work once they are not considered infectious and if they feel well enough to work. I don’t know whether that is the same for medical staff in the UK.

Check what the rules are where you live. It takes most people a little while to get used to medication so the sooner you start, the more likely you are to be able to study whilst taking it.

I hope you get answers to your questions. I also hope that you can continue with your training.

[Samsonsmom in reply to Soul01]

I sure hope I can continue too! This is my life’s work and I’ll be just lost if I can’t become a nurse because of this!

[HelenC Partner TB Alert]

Hi Samsonsmom,

I am huessing you are in the States, so the best source of information for you would be the CDC. They have some specific pages on TB here: cdc.gov/tb/default.htm anf specific information on TB in healthcare settings here: cdc.gov/tb/topic/infectionc.... Note, they also say to refer to state guidelines.

Broadly speaking, however, if you are treated for active TB then there is no reason for you not to return to employment or education once any risk of infection has passed. This is normally two weeks but can be longer for drug-resistant forms.

If you have latent TB and are treated, then this should have no longterm impact beyond standard employee health checks. If you decide not to be treated then other policies are likely to come into play.

Hopw this helps,

Helen

[Samsonsmom in reply to HelenC]

Thank you so much! I guess I just need to see results of my blood test and start treatment ASAP!

[Ehinoma]

I had the same problem, When I was in my second year in my nursing school but I went back to school after 3 months but it was not easy for me to concentrate in class but I was still going and after the therapy every thing was okey again and now I am done since February with school, so keep on moving u will make it 👍

[Samsonsmom]

Thank you! It’s such a relief to know I can finish