What is true about a person with a latent tuberculosis infection?

Prepare for the DANB Infection Control Test with multiple choice questions, comprehensive hints, and detailed explanations. Get ready to ace your exam!

A person with a latent tuberculosis infection has a positive skin test, indicating that they have been infected with the tuberculosis (TB) bacteria, but they do not exhibit any symptoms of the disease. This means that while the bacteria are present in their body, they remain inactive and non-contagious, which is why they do not show signs of the active disease. The absence of symptoms is crucial in distinguishing latent TB from active TB, as individuals with active TB typically present with symptoms such as a persistent cough, fever, and night sweats.

It's important to understand that a negative skin test suggests that the individual has not been infected with TB, and therefore is not accurate for someone with a latent infection. Contagion is also not a factor in latent TB; only those with active TB can spread the bacteria to others. Thus, the correct description of a person with latent tuberculosis infection is that they have a positive skin test without symptoms.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy