What causes a false positive tb test?

It turns out our childhood BCG vaccination can trigger a false positive on the TB skin test, even if you are just fine. No need to lose sleep or skip your favorite meals over this. Just talk to your doc for a better confirmatory test.

I went through this exact scare last month. My skin test was positive, but it was a false positive because of the BCG vaccine we all get in India. My doctor did a Quantiferon blood test and chest X-ray to confirm I was completely clear.

Please keep your mind peaceful and positive. A false positive can happen due to past vaccinations or harmless bacteria in the body. Have faith, get a proper blood test or X-ray done as advised by a doctor, and take good care of your health.

My doctor explained that the Mantoux skin test often gives false positives in countries like India due to the BCG vaccine or exposure to environmental mycobacteria. He recommended an IGRA blood test because it is much more specific and accurate.

My colleague had a false positive TB test during his visa medicals. The doctors said it was very common due to our BCG vaccination history. They did an additional chest scan and cleared him without any issues.

In our times, we knew that skin tests can sometimes show wrong results if you had the BCG injection as a baby. Do not try any home remedies for TB, just go to a proper clinic and let them do a chest scan to be completely sure.

I remember crying and feeling so much anxiety when my skin test came back positive, thinking I had TB. It turned out to be a false positive due to childhood vaccination. I totally understand how stressful this is, but please wait for the blood test results before panicking.