Positive TB (skin test) result at U.S Dept. of Health

[RK_and_Inday 10]

Dear VJ members,

Hoping someone with knowledge or even similar experience may relate to our below and address our concerns:

I. Background: A few weeks ago, Inday tried to go to civil surgeon (nearest to us is one and half hour drive away) to complete I-693 (she entered U.S. on K-1 visa). Civil surgeon absolutely refused to see Inday unless she first did TB test, RPR, and vaccinations at U.S. Public Health department. Civil surgeon would not accept (clear) X-rays or any other result done for Inday's pre-interview medical done in Philippines. So, Inday complied with all--RPR, vaccinations, and the TB skin (Mantoux) test which was evaluated as (borderline) positive at Public Health Department. Public Health department then asked Inday to get X-rays and now want to do additional subsequent TB testing; they will not accept Inday's (clear) results from St. Lukes in Philippines required prior to embassy interview. Thus, complied about X-rays here in U.S. and X-rays were also clear but have been told by Health Department official that even if all subsequent tests they do are clear/negative, they will still start Inday on the multi-month medicine treatment for TB, assuming the skin/Mantoux test indicated she has been infected and that the TB is latent. After much ensuing discussion, health department worker said to us that, essentially, in U.S.--even though false positive may occur--a latent TB infection is presumed, erring on side of caution, especially because Inday came to U.S. from high-TB prevalence country (Philippines).

II. General comment: in part, looking here for those with similar experience for support through while going through this ordeal and sharing of what may have been your own experience(S).

III. Question: Can we expect this experience will effect AOS process in any way at all and, if so, in what way and what is recommendation about how to proceed from this point? [The Public Health official told us "no" to this question, that proceeding with AOS may continue with no effect--but we are not totally comfortable with this health officials answer without knowing more & hearing the experience of others in same situation.]

Thank you all for any responses or comments you may have have.

--RK and Inday

Edited March 22, 2012 by RK_and_Inday

[freewave 0]

hi. we are in the same boat. my husband was diagnosed with latent TB during our visit to the civil surgeon. he was referred to infectious disease doctor (opted for ID doctor instead of going to the health department). he was also advised to take the TB meds but he decided not to take it. this was all written on the consult note that was included in the I-693. result of the cxr was also included in the sealed I 693 envelope sent with all our papers... we sent our application in september 2011. last week, we received an rfe for the I 693. it stated that the radiologist read the cxr but wrote it as normal but has some artifacts that might be due to clothing!!! went back to the civil surgeon, had another cxr and sent another form of I 693. we sent the rfe last friday and we are still waiting...

[zzzlpr 7]

My step son, K2, was also skin tested positive for TB in Manila, but cleared through the X-ray at St. Luke.

Here is what happened and what you should do.

He was told to report to our local health department at POE.

We reported at our County Health Dept., where new x-rays were taken.

The County Health Dept. put him in a preventive protocol, taking the medicine for several months. In his case I just had to stop by once a month to pick up another free bottle.

He followed the protocol and we got a letter from the Health Dept. stating that he complied with the protocol.

Regarding the AOS.

At the interview the IO asked for some form of document proving that he was addressing the TB issue.

I did not have any, i.e., I did not know I needed one.

So, a new interview was scheduled for 30 days later.

I went to a Civil Surgeon with the records from the Health Dept and the Civil Surgeon called the local USCIS office to ask what they need in my son's case. So, the doctor did a general exam and fill out a sealed form.

I took it to the 2nd interview and the GC was issued.

As you can see, it is not a big deal.

If I had the documents ready at the first interview I am sure I would have sailed past it, as my wife did.

Wishing the best.

[DaveE 178]

We had a similar issue with our K2 daughter. She had to go to the Health Dept because of a positive TB test. The health department here (in Georgia), had her chest Xray done and determined it clear. They then put her on a regimen of vitamins and TB meds for nine months. They did a blood test every month, a short physical and gave her the next months meds.

At AOS the subject was never brought up by the IO.

[RK_and_Inday 10]

@freewave--Thank you for sharing your experience. We hope your response to RFE is looked upon favorably and allows you to continue rapidly forward in the process.

@zzzlpr--Thank you for sharing your experience and for providing your comforting words.

DaveE--Thank you for sharing your experience.

Hmmm..going by latter two responses, seems depends on whou you get in this process. Next time, I am just going to keep different public officials--or whomever--until I find the person whose answer I like best! (Just kidding...mostly )

--RK and Inday

[DouglasFiel 53]

You can get a false positive for the TB skin test,,, if you have had the TB immunization (Which is common in the PI).

Actually, my wife is a nurse,,, and she got a false positive and had to get a chest xray as an alternative to get

cleared to work.

Regards,

dc

[Ellesse 11]

You can get a false positive for the TB skin test,,, if you have had the TB immunization (Which is common in the PI).

Actually, my wife is a nurse,,, and she got a false positive and had to get a chest xray as an alternative to get

cleared to work.

Exactly! I had a false-positive reaction to the skin test for exactly this reason, and wasn't given any medication for it because of a clear x-ray and my completing the TB questionnaire. Have you had the TB immunisation in the past? If so, it might be an idea to get hold of this proof and keep it with you. The respiratory consultant I ended up talking to informed me that I would very possibly always have a false positive reaction to the skin test and wrote me a letter stating this and that another skin test would not be a good idea (as reactions to this can worsen the more times you have it, according to the person I spoke to) and that X-rays and the TB questionnaire would have to be used in future as the skin test, for me, would be invalid. I would suggest, if this is the case for you, you pull evidence together showing you've had a vaccine in the past so that it doesn't cause you further problems - for certain professions, you have to have repeated TB skin tests unless there are specific reasons why this would be invalid (and having the vaccine is, apparently, one of the reasons).

All the best

L

[renecherubs 18]

Wat I did I look for other cs who doesn't need another medical exam.sent the aos and went to my personal doctor for the positive tb skin result.ordered to take the tb meds for 9 months.I did all that to make my aos process faster.there's cs doesn't require medical.just the transcription of the vaccination to form I 163.esp. for k1.read the form's instruction.it's there.

[RK_and_Inday 10]

@Douglasfiel and Ellesse--thank you for response. Yup, we were told (paraphrasing) that U.S. does not recognize false positives. Did do the chest X-rays again here in U.S. with clear results. Nevertheless, health department still wants to proceed to drug treatment regime. Not comfortable with potential side effects of recommended medications.

@renecherubs--Yes, thank you for sharing your experience and re-confirming cs doesn't require medical again as per described.

--RK and Inday

[freewave 0]

Hi, just an update on our status. Got the green card last Saturday. 2 weeks after sending the RFE showing that the chest x ray was clear. My husband was diagnosed with latent tuberculosis but opted not to take the medications which the civil surgeon wrote on the papers he filled.

[RK_and_Inday 10]

Hi, just an update on our status. Got the green card last Saturday. 2 weeks after sending the RFE showing that the chest x ray was clear. My husband was diagnosed with latent tuberculosis but opted not to take the medications which the civil surgeon wrote on the papers he filled.

Freewave--Hi! Very many congratulations on receipt of green card!! Thank you for the update and sharing. Have been wondering how you and others have been doing in our similar situations. Very, very glad to hear that everything is working out for you and your husband! As for our part, Inday was finally able to make appointment with civil surgeon (CS) and I-693 was completed by CS with no problems. The I-693 does indicate TB positive as per Health department records/findings but also marked as "No Class A/B Condition" for Communicable Deisase section. Hoping this will be enough to avoid additional complications. --RK and Inday

Edited April 2, 2012 by RK_and_Inday

[honeyB 0]

We had a similar issue with our K2 daughter. She had to go to the Health Dept because of a positive TB test. The health department here (in Georgia), had her chest Xray done and determined it clear. They then put her on a regimen of vitamins and TB meds for nine months. They did a blood test every month, a short physical and gave her the next months meds.

At AOS the subject was never brought up by the IO.

Hi, can I ask if the meds are for free? How much did you spend for the whole proccess? Thanks..

[sandy34 0]

Hello... i was diagnosed to have latent tb also, but after reading all this post. I feel a bit better! i got our i-693 packet in hand and the cs said, i dont think i need to take pills since my xray is clear. we will send in our aos packet nextweek and were praying everything will be fine. Thanks a lot!

I mean the cs doesnt think i need to take pills since my xrayis clear....

[RK_and_Inday 10]

Sandy34 - Glad this post was helpful. Hope all is working out for you OK aos-wise and all-wise in regards to this whole process. -RK & Inday