Yesterday I checked my e-mail within 20 minutes of getting to work. What did I find?

An e-mail from infection control notified me that I was exposed to TB during the time period 7/16-7/19.

I have to do a post-TB exposure test.

My reaction (other than the two words I blurted out under my breath)? I find it annoying more than worrisome (note: not annoyed with the patient). No one enjoys doing the TB test once a year, let alone another spontaneous test.

Another dietitian said she received the same e-mail and has received them in the past as well. She said also that it’s no big deal (typically).

I schedule the first step for Monday. I couldn’t do it until then because then they want to read it 2-3 days later.

In the meantime, I’ll continue to note if I have sudden loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. One possible side effect though is coughing with progressing mucus production. Uhhh…that was just a sinus infection that I had, right? Not a symptom of TB..?

I’m not worried. But what an e-mail to start the day with!