Measurement of a Tuberculin Skin Test Reaction

Measuring a tuberculin skin test reaction

Two to three days after getting a tuberculin skin test, the size of any bump at the site is measured. Your risk of having TB is used along with the size of the bump to determine whether the test is:

  • Positive, meaning you have been infected with TB bacteria.
  • Negative, meaning you have not been infected with TB bacteria or your body cannot respond to the protein injected because of a weakened immune system.

The test cannot tell if you have a latent (inactive) infection or an active infection that can be spread to others.

ByHealthwise Staff

Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine

Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine

Specialist Medical ReviewerR. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care Medicine, Medical Toxicology

Current as ofMarch 3, 2017

Current as of: March 3, 2017

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care Medicine, Medical Toxicology