What is the next step after positive TB test?
Asked by: Dr. Andres Block | Last update: February 10, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (17 votes)
After a positive TB test, the next step is a thorough medical evaluation, including a chest X-ray and sometimes a sputum test, to rule out active TB disease, followed by deciding on treatment for either latent TB infection (preventive medicine) or active TB disease (a multi-drug regimen). You'll work with your healthcare provider to determine if you have the germs (latent) or if the infection is active, which guides treatment.
What to do after a positive TB test?
Perform chest X-ray and medical evaluation to assess for active TB disease. Perform chest X-ray and medical evaluation to assess for active TB disease. TST can potentially boost an IGRA response. The IGRA should be drawn on the same day the TST is placed or wait three to six months from the date the TST is placed.
What happens if your TB comes back positive?
If you test positive for TB, it means you have tuberculosis germs in your body, but you'll need further tests, like a chest x-ray, to see if you have latent (inactive) TB infection or active TB disease. Most people have latent TB, which is treated with medicine to prevent it from becoming active, while active TB (which makes you sick and contagious) requires a longer course of several medications, often with Directly Observed Therapy (DOT).
Should I isolate after a positive TB test?
Patients with confirmed infectious TB or those being evaluated for active TB disease should be kept in airborne isolation precautions until active TB disease is ruled out or the patient is deemed to be noninfectious.
How many days after a TB test can I look at it?
Your health care provider MUST check your arm 2 or 3 days after the TB skin test, even if your arm looks OK to you. If you have a reaction to the test, it will look like a raised bump. Your health care provider will measure the size of the reaction.
Your TB test was positive... the next steps
What is the 2 step timeline for TB test?
Two-step testing
If the first TB skin test result is negative, a second TB skin test should be done 1 to 3 weeks later. If the second TB skin test result is positive, it is probably a boosted reaction. Based on this second test result, the person should be classified as previously infected.
Can I take a shower after a TB test?
A: You can take showers and baths as you normally do.
What is the quarantine period for TB?
We agree that the infectiousness of TB patients diminishes rapidly once effective treatment is initiated. However, there is considerable evidence against dogmatic claims that patients are no longer infectious after 2 weeks of treatment.
At what point is TB not contagious?
The exact length of time will depend on your overall health and the severity of your TB. After taking the medicine for 2 weeks, most people are no longer infectious and feel better. However, it is important to continue taking your medicine exactly as prescribed and to complete the whole course of antibiotics.
What are the first signs of tuberculosis?
Early signs of tuberculosis (TB) often include a persistent cough (lasting 3+ weeks, possibly with blood), chest pain, fatigue, fever, chills, night sweats, weight loss, and loss of appetite; these general symptoms, especially the prolonged cough, signal active disease, requiring prompt medical attention, as TB can also affect other parts of the body like lymph nodes or kidneys, causing localized pain or swelling.
How serious is a positive TB test?
A “positive” TB blood test result means you probably have TB germs in your body. Most people with a positive TB blood test have latent TB infection. To be sure, your doctor will examine you and do a chest x-ray. You may need other tests to see if you have latent TB infection or active TB disease.
How do I know if my TB is gone?
Your health care provider will do other tests to determine if you have inactive TB or active TB disease. These tests may include a chest x-ray, and a test of the sputum (phlegm) you cough up. A negative test result for TB infection means you likely do not have inactive TB or active TB disease.
Does a positive test always mean active TB?
A positive TB test indicates the presence of TB bacteria. However, it does not tell you whether you have latent TB or active TB disease. Your doctor will order additional tests, such as a chest X-ray, to determine the next steps.
Are you contagious if you have a positive TB test?
No. It is very important to remember that only someone with active TB disease in the lungs can spread the germ. People with TB infection are not contagious, do not have any symptoms, and do not put their family, friends and co-workers at risk.
Do I need to isolate myself if I have TB?
If you have untreated TB disease that can spread from person to person (TB disease in the lungs or throat), your health care provider may ask you to stay in home isolation. Home isolation means you avoid contact with other people. Home isolation will help stop the spread to others.
How is TB treated if I test positive?
Active TB disease requires taking several medicines. Common ones used to treat tuberculosis include: Isoniazid. Rifampin (Rimactane).
Where is the most common place to get TB?
Tuberculosis (TB) is most common in countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, with India, Indonesia, the Philippines, China, and Pakistan reporting the highest absolute numbers of cases globally, while Sub-Saharan Africa often has the highest rates per population. High-burden regions include the South-East Asian Region (bearing the largest share), Africa, and the Western Pacific, often linked to factors like HIV, malnutrition, and crowded living conditions.
How many days can TB be cured?
The main treatment for tuberculosis (TB) is to take antibiotics for at least 6 months. If TB has spread to your brain, spinal cord or the area around your heart, you may also need to take steroid medicine for a few weeks.
What are the main causes of TB?
The main cause of tuberculosis (TB) is the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks, releasing germs that others can inhale. While many people infected with the bacteria develop latent TB (inactive) and don't get sick, their immune system can't fight it off, leading to active TB disease, especially if their immunity weakens from other illnesses, stress, or certain medications.
Can a person with TB go to work?
A person with active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) should stay home from work until their doctor says it's safe, usually after a few weeks of starting treatment, to prevent spreading the bacteria, but they can often return with a doctor's approval and by taking precautions like wearing a mask and improving ventilation. Those with latent TB (inactive) can usually work as they are not contagious, but if symptoms develop or it becomes active, isolation is necessary.
When is TB no longer contagious?
You will need to take TB medicine for at least 2 to 3 weeks before you can no longer spread TB germs to other people. Even if you start to feel better, you will need to stay on medicine to be cured. You will need to take several kinds of pills for at least 6 months. There is a lot of information to learn about TB.
What are the CDC guidelines for TB isolation?
Persons who have confirmed or presumptive TB disease should be placed in an area away from other patients. If a facility has an airborne infection isolation (AII) room, persons with confirmed or presumptive TB disease should preferably be placed there.
What not to do after a TB test?
After the test, you should avoid using bandages, putting on lotion, or scratching the test area because it may affect the results. You can wash the area with water, but do not wipe or scrub. If the area itches, put an ice cube or cold cloth on it.
Will I lose my job if I have a positive TB test?
No, a positive TB test usually won't make you lose your job, but it requires follow-up (chest X-ray, doctor visit) to rule out active TB; if it's latent TB, you can often keep working, especially with proper treatment, but if you have active, contagious TB, you must stay home until cleared by a doctor to prevent spreading it, with employment status depending on your role (healthcare/high-risk jobs have stricter rules).
How far apart do two TB tests have to be?
The two-step TB skin test can lower the chance that a boosted reaction from an old TB infection will be misinterpreted as a recent infection. If the reaction to the first-step TB skin test is classified as negative, a second-step TB skin test is given one to three weeks after the first test is read.