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Measurement of a Tuberculin Skin Test Reaction

Picture of how to measure a tuberculin skin test reaction

Two to three days after getting a tuberculin skin test, the size of any bump at the site is measured. Your risk of having TB is used along with the size of the bump to determine whether the test is:

  • Positive, meaning you have been infected with TB bacteria.
  • Negative, meaning you have not been infected with TB bacteria or your body cannot respond to the protein injected because of a weakened immune system.

The test cannot tell if you have a latent (inactive) infection or an active infection that can be spread to others.

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care Medicine, Medical Toxicology
Last Revised April 15, 2011

Last Revised: April 15, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care Medicine, Medical Toxicology

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