TB tests and pregnancy?

[Kermit]

I'm going to ask at my next OB appointment in about a week, but I was wondering if anyone here knows if you can have a TB test while you're pregnant. I don't have a job right now and was thinking that I'd like to substitute teach until the baby comes, but I have to have a recent TB test. My last one was in 1997.

Do you know what it is they put on your skin when they do that test? I have a feeling that it's probably a weakened form of TB, in which case I'll probably decide not to do it even if most doctors would consider it technically safe, but I really have no idea. Does anyone know for sure?

 

[honeywolf7]

Kermit, I think it's a weakened form of TB as well.

 

[helenabear]

According to this link it is safe to get the test while pregnancy. What they use is not an infectious agent, just something your body will react to if your body has seen TB before.

 

[Dizkneenurse]

I had one each time I was pregnant ( my job is really high risk) and I never had a problem. I just had one 2 months ago when I was 5 months along. Both of my kids (nad this one I hope) are completely healthy.

Where I work you can't really refuse due to pregnancy and there have been no studies out to say that it has any adverse effects( so my employer tells me ) I don't even think that they use "real" TB any more..I might be wrong but last itme I heard it was some "fake" reactant that "acts" like TB. Hope someone here knows for sure...

Hope that helps..a bit !