Monday, March 17, 2008

Mantoux Test


School has been really busy and I’m getting overloaded after only two weeks. Same old same old.

I recently found out that on top of all the vaccinations I will need to get I will also have to have a Mantoux Test done as well. The test involves injecting a small sample of innocuous tuberculosis antigen underneath my skin. If nothing happens after two days then I don’t and have never had tuberculosis (or vaccine). If I get a big red spot of inflammation then … that would not be a good sign.

I remember sitting on the bus in Edmonton about two years ago on my way home from university. The individual sitting in front of me pulled out a sheet of paper with a heading that read “What The Results Of Your Tuberculosis Test Mean.”. I promptly moved seats assuming they had tuberculosis. Actually come to think of it I think I got off the bus since my stop wasn’t too far. Hopefully I don’t have a granuloma brewing in my lungs.

4 comments:

claire said...

Just last week I learned how the m. tuberculosis cells develop resistance to the vaccine.

Unknown said...

I totally remember that day. You called me and were so pissed off and I was worried you'd get TB. I don't think you got it, well at least I hope not because that would be the icing on the cake with all of the tests you have to get done!

Did I mention I only have to get hepatitis shots? I'm telling you, Curtin ROCKS! You should think about coming over to the dark side! LOL.

Anonymous said...

Wonder where it all ends eh! Happy St. Patrick's Day . . . do they acknowledge it there? DaddyO

Wince Tuttle said...

Hopefully.