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Tb isn't around in our society in epidemic proportions anymore but since I work in an environment where esposure is possible I have to be tested every year. Suffice to say that waqiting the three days for the test results isn't my idea of fun. It's yet another small stress. Mind you actually having TB would be a bit of nastiness I could do without.

I work in a hospital, and all new hires are expected to be tested twice in the span of 90 days for TB. Also, every employe is tested for TB once a year.

So you're not alone.

I have to be tested yearly for my job, as well.

Alright for the clueless (read shigy) what is TB?

Tuberculosis.

I've been exposed to the Tuberculosis bug, but I don't have TB.
It's confusing, I know and it sux too.

I got a DUI (that was stupid, eh?) and had to do 5 days in jail.
My doctor told me never to get the little bubble on my arm because it will always test positive and I don't know... maybe it will hurt me?
Anyway, I told the nurse at the jail that I have to have a chest x-ray to be tested for TB.
Dang! Takes the stupid jail a week to get the results and I get out in 5.

Solitary confinement for 5 days = SUXXOR.

So at least you don't have to get an expensive x-ray

In Canada x-Rays are paid for by Medicare. Which is a good thing because I get x-rayed far to often. Full set every other year so far. But lately they are prefering to do ultrasounds.

I prefer an ultrasound.. I hate wearing the heavy apron thingy in the xray room, and in addition to that.. there have been mnay times (before I was old enough to know better) that I wasn't given the apron thingys

I have never been tested for TB though.. at least I don't think I have been.

And after two days of the little dead germs incubating in my arm the answer is.

Negative.

I am not suffering from TB... Thank goodness for that.

the x-rays really arent that bad. your typical chest series is equivalent to basking in the sun for a bit. unless you're getting 20 xrays a day over the course of several months, there's really little chance you'll ever be affected.
A scale to show where your TB CXR ranks (and other stuff)

as for the "never getting the bubble tested again"-- the reason that they tell you that is because you received a "positive reaction." you have the TB in a latent state, and the chest xrays are to insure that any manifestations of the disease can be reasonably controlled before you become too sick from it.
More info about the TB skin test
And the wonderful world of wikipedia's views

cheers