Anyone used religous exemp. for TB test for work?

[chelsmm]

Has anyone here used an exemption letter (religous exemption) for a TB test for employment?

I just typed up one to give to my employer (I'm a nurse), and I'm wondering what my chances are of having trouble.

I'm in Massachusetts.

I offered to have a chest x-ray (not that I really want that, but I feel it's the lesser of 2 evils) or the new blood test.

Just wondering if it's worked for anyone.

[runes]

: might be dealing with a similar scenario so taking notes...

also, isn't there a sputum test?

[chelsmm]

There is, but it takes months, I believe, to come back. We are having a state inspection at work soon, so they are trying to get us all cleared, asap. I'm already WAY overdue. I used the pg excuse the last time they tried to stick me. They said it was fine to give, but I told them that there was NO WAY they were jabbing me while I was pg.

[DocsNemesis]

Now I am interested too....I never even thought twice about having the TB test done. What did I miss?? lol I wish I could tell you for sure, but it was my understanding that if you dont have the tests and/or vaxs done, that then the employers wont hire you. Not that I think they would blantantly tell you that, but....I live in an at will state, so you can get fired for no specified reason too. I dunno. I just had my TB and my first Hep B shot a couple of months ago.

[chelsmm]

Here, you don't have to get the hep B. It's optional. I got it before when I was in college though.

I submitted my letter, so I'll let you all know when I hear from my employer.

[mangosink0]

Originally Posted by chelsmm

I'm already WAY overdue. I used the pg excuse the last time they tried to stick me. They said it was fine to give, but I told them that there was NO WAY they were jabbing me while I was pg.

I'm in the very same boat.

[sporty]

The TB test is NOT a vaccine. It does not protect against TB. It is only designed to identify those individuals who carry the bacterium.

[wonderwahine]

Originally Posted by sporty

The TB test is NOT a vaccine. It does not protect against TB. It is only designed to identify those individuals who carry the bacterium.

no, but it does contain toxins still and has a high rate of false positives.

Serious untoward reactions to the Tuberculin substance have been reported. Adverse reactions include local skin reactions (vesicles, ulcers, necrosis, scarring), rashes, and anaphylaxis. Shockingly, in spite of its widespread use, the manufacturer's insert 6) states that Tubersol has not been evaluated for its carcinogenic or mutagenic potentials or influence on fertility. This is surprising
considering the widespread use and frequent repetition intervals of administration, particularly to the long term HCWs employee. It is also irresponsible for the CDC to state that tuberculin is safe and reliable throughout the course of pregnancy (1, p. 29). This is in direct opposition with the manufacturers statement that Tubersol is NOT tested for mutagenicity. It is a fact that a declaration of safety without testing is a declaration of assumed safety, not a proven scientific fact.

not to mention :

What can we gather from the toxicology of its components? Tubersol contains 0.28% phenol(5), which is known to be highly toxic to humans (8). The 1969 American Heritage Dictionary defines phenol as a "caustic, poisonous, white, crystalline compound...derived from benzene and used in various resins, plastics, disinfectants, and pharmaceuticals. Phenol is also known as 'carbolic acid.'" Amongst the known adverse reactions to phenol are:

-irritating to skin, eyes, mucous membranes in humans
-ingestion in humans may cause death, paralysis, weakness, seizures, coma, respiratory collapse
-animal testing has shown severe toxicity
-limited data available on the chronic effects in humans, but in humans has caused dermal inflammation and necrosis, arrhythmia's, hepatic enlargement and dysfunction.
-animal studies have shown chronic exposure effects the CNS, respiratory, renal and cardiovascular systems
-no human development and reproduction studies have been performed BUT...-animal studies have shown reduced weight, growth retardation, abnormal development, increased maternal mortality and decreased maternal weight gain.
-no studies have been done in humans with regards to carcinogenicity BUT...- animal studies show phenol applied to skin is a skin carcinogen in mice!

http://www.vaccinetruth.org/tb_testing.htm

[chelsmm]

thanks roman's mom, you saved me some time finding those links!!

[boongirl]

Seattle nurses went through something similar that I thought you might find interesting.

http://www.wsna.org/pubrel/releases/