A positive TB skin test indicates exposure to TB and does not necessarily mean active infection.

A positive TB skin test indicates exposure to TB and does not necessarily mean active infection.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not enough information
• D. It always means infection is active

Answer: (B)

A positive tuberculin skin test shows that the immune system has been exposed to TB and has mounted a response, indicating prior infection or latent TB, but it does not by itself prove that the disease is currently active. Distinguishing active TB requires evaluating symptoms (like a persistent cough, fever, night sweats, weight loss), obtaining chest imaging, and confirming with microbiologic tests on respiratory samples. Many people with a positive test never develop active TB, while others may have active disease; the test simply signals exposure or infection, not the activity status. Vaccination with BCG can complicate interpretation in some cases, which is why clinical context and risk factors guide the assessment.

A positive tuberculin skin test shows that the immune system has been exposed to TB and has mounted a response, indicating prior infection or latent TB, but it does not by itself prove that the disease is currently active. Distinguishing active TB requires evaluating symptoms (like a persistent cough, fever, night sweats, weight loss), obtaining chest imaging, and confirming with microbiologic tests on respiratory samples. Many people with a positive test never develop active TB, while others may have active disease; the test simply signals exposure or infection, not the activity status. Vaccination with BCG can complicate interpretation in some cases, which is why clinical context and risk factors guide the assessment.