TB skin test and pregnancy
Hello,
I wasn't sure exactly where to put this question. I hope here is ok.
I will be moving to Doha soon because of a job offer my husband has accepted. I am pregnant and I know that I will not have to receive an X-ray to test for TB but would get the skin test via injection instead.
My question is: does anyone know if it is possible not to have the injection? I'm aware that it's supposed to be safe for pregnant women but it is just my personal preference that I not be injected with anything while I am pregnant. And if, hypothetically, I did have latent TB (I certainly don't have active TB) I could only get treated for it after the child is born anyway, so I could also just get tested after the child is born since you get the results pretty quickly. That is my thinking anyway. I don't have any immune diseases and I will be coming from Germany, not a country where TB is an issue.
Thanks for reading.
M
Thanks for the responses. Ok, I'll try to be clearer.
I will definitely not do an X-ray. As far as I know, I don't have to for the medical exam because I am pregnant.
From what I have read on this forum, pregnant women are tested for TB using the PPD test since they are not X-rayed. I will talk about it with my doctor at my next appointment here in Germany before I come to Qatar, but in any case I already know I do not want to have the PPD test. I do not want to be injected with the tuberculin PPD nor with the preservatives that come with it. I also don't want to risk the possible side effects such as fever, joint pain, etc. That is the last thing I want while pregnant.
So my question is if it is possible to have the flexibility of being tested for TB after I have given birth (since they will not X-ray me and I do not want to have the alternative skin test with injection). I am considering asking my doctor here to write a letter for me supporting not taking the PPD test. I don't know if it will help me in Qatar but I am hoping I will get a kind doctor in Qatar for the medical exam who will respect my wishes.
What do you guys think?
Whatever you do, do not take XRAY during pregency!!
I am not queit sure about the issue that you asking.
But I know they dont take X-ray during pregnancy.
BUT they will do the blood test.
If you have not exposed to TB before there will be no issue on this for you. cos you will be medically pass.
Incase if u have the history of TB, the picture will be deferent.
Normally they take another X-Ray and PPD test.
BUT I AM NOT SURE ABOUT PREGNANT SITUATION.
HOP this might have helped atleast something for you.
I will check with someone here and let you knowlif I get any updates.
All the best.
Google got brain,believe it or not
Ok, correction, I read this on the internet:
2. Should I get a TB skin test if I am pregnant?
Only under your doctors supervision and only if there is a need to do so. There have not been enough studies done to clearly document the safety of the PPD solution during pregnancy. On the other hand, since TB can be passed from mother to child through the amniotic fluid during pregnancy, if you are at an increased risk of contracting TB, your doctor may want you to have a TB skin test done.
I thought it was supposed to be safe but if there is even dispute among professionals as to whether or not the TB skin test is safe for pregnant women or not then I really don't want it!
I know that I won't know until I'm in Qatar and discuss this with whomever I'm dealing with there, but if anyone has had any experience with postponing the test, I'd be very interested and appreciative.
M