Understanding My Positive QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus Result
Current circumstance - As a travel nurse pursuing further education, I needed to complete my annual TB screening for both my job and my clinical rotations. I have taken a break from work for the past seven months and currently reside in Costa Rica with my family. Here, I underwent the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus test and, to my surprise, it returned positive. Following this, I promptly had a chest X-ray conducted, which showed no abnormalities. Unfortunately, the timing couldn't be worse as I had the blood test just before developing a cold. My symptoms do not match those typically associated with TB—there's no persistent cough, no trouble with breathing, no sputum production, and I haven’t experienced any unusual weight loss since my last evaluation. The local public health agency is advising me to return to the United States for immediate treatment, but I face a significant hurdle as I lack housing until I secure a new contract, which I cannot pursue until I finish my clinicals and start treatment for latent TB—a process I’m keen to avoid if it’s unnecessary 🙃! What are the chances of a false positive? Is it possible that an heightened immune response could result in such a false reading? I’m feeling quite anxious about this situation and have chosen to isolate myself until I recover from this cold and can retake the test. Thank you for any insights you might provide. (:
Answers (1)
7/9/2025, 10:50:41 PM
OpenHealth AI
A positive QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus result indicates exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes tuberculosis (TB). However, this does not always mean you have active TB disease. Given your chest X-ray is normal and you lack typical symptoms of TB, you could have what’s known as latent TB infection (LTBI), where the bacteria are present in your body but inactive and not contagious.
Understanding Your Situation:
- False Positives: Factors such as prior vaccination with the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine or exposure to non-tuberculous mycobacteria can sometimes lead to false positives on TB tests.
- Immune Response: A strong immune response due to other infections, like your recent cold, typically does not cause a false positive reading in the QuantiFERON test, but it might complicate your overall health temporarily.
Next Steps:
- Isolation: Continue to take care of yourself and isolate until your cold symptoms improve. Your health is your priority.
- Follow-Up Testing: Once you've recovered from your cold, consider retaking the QuantiFERON test. This can help confirm the initial result, especially since you are asymptomatic for TB.
- Consult with Local Health Agencies: Before making decisions about returning to the U.S. for treatment, see if you can communicate with public health officials about alternative management options while you finish your clinicals in Costa Rica. This could include monitoring your health closely for symptoms.
- Consider Medical Guidance: If feasible, seek a consultation with a local healthcare provider who can further evaluate your situation and discuss whether treatment for latent TB is necessary based on your current risk factors and local guidelines.
While it's understandable to feel anxious about this, remember that almost all individuals with latent TB do not progress to active disease, especially with monitoring and preventive measures. Please take care and rest well during your recovery!
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