Update on false positive.

[MikeMikeMike1]

I started this post a couple months ago after testing positive for Latent TB. I didn’t believe the test results because I was tested during a nasty cold / sinus infection / bronchitis etc. It may have even been corona. I was on steroids and antibiotics. 4 rounds of antibiotics! It was rough. After getting the call that I was positive I decided to see my regular doc a week later and requested a second test. He agreed but doubted the test was wrong. Well I tested Negative! Then went to see infectious doc to follow up and she suggested getting tested in another 6 weeks. Those results just came in Negative again.

The point of this post is: Why didn’t any doc suggested a 2nd test?!?! Had I not taken it on my own they would have put me on meds for latent TB. I suggest confirming your test results if you test positive.

Good luck !

Mike

[HelenC Partner TB Alert]

Hi MikeMikeMike1,

This is an unsual outcome, as it is usually false negatives that are the problem. However, it does illustrate the imporance of getting a second opinion if you are uncertain about something. Thanks for sharing.

Best wishes,

Helen

[Callumlee123]

Glad to here good result

If this was a blood test only then I would have your sputum sample taken and tested as that confirms for sure in a lad if the Tb bacteria grows and it takes upto eight weeks to grow

I would get this checked just Incase as you really don’t want to have latent Tb that becomes active as it’s not nice at all

Just a thought

[loopylouhd]

Hi, my chest specialist said there's a 15% chance of getting a false negative and a 1% chance of getting a false positive. I have tested negative, unclear then positive. I have never had any symptoms. I am now half way through treatment for latent tb. I had the test as I was due to start second round of cladribine for ms but this has been delayed anyway because of corona. Doc said it was highly unlikely a positive test is wrong.