A positive TST with no symptoms and a normal chest X-ray best describes which TB status?

• A. Latent TB infection
• B. Active TB infection
• C. Recovered TB
• D. No TB infection

Answer: (A)

A positive tuberculin skin test with no symptoms and a normal chest X-ray points to latent TB infection. The test shows TB exposure and an immune response, but the bacteria are not actively multiplying or causing illness, so there are no symptoms and no radiographic signs of disease. The person isn’t contagious, but treatment is important to prevent reactivation in the future. In contrast, active TB would involve symptoms like cough, night sweats, weight loss, and abnormal chest imaging with possible positive sputum tests. Recovered TB would reflect a past illness, often with some residual imaging changes, and no current active infection. No TB infection would typically yield a negative TST.