Can a tuberculin skin test be administered at the same time as a live attenuated vaccine like MMR?
. The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that a tuberculin skin test (TST) can be administered at the same time as other vaccinations are given, including MMR and varicella vaccine. There is no longer any concern that anergy from the live vaccines will render the TST falsely negative. Previous BCG vaccination is also not a contraindication to skin testing.
Reference: American Academy of Pediatrics. Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases 25th edition, 20000, Pg. 593-618.
How accurate is it to let patients interpret their own TB test?Administration of the tuberculin skin test (TST) and interpretation of results should be performed by experienced health care professionals who have been properly trained, because administration and interpretation by unskilled persons is unreliable. When a physician is unavailable to interpret the TST, it can be interpreted by specifically trained staff in an after hours clinic or local public health clinic, school based nurses, home health care staff, or emergency room personnel. The primary care physician should be notified of the results promptly.
Reference: American Academy of Pediatrics. Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases 25th edition, 20000, Pg. 593-618.
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