A simple, painless skin test is used to screen for tuberculosis. This test is offered free of charge by the Health Department. Should the test be positive, you may have a chest X-ray to see if there are any abnormalities in the lungs.

You may obtain TB/PPD testing from your own healthcare provider or you may visit Children's Hospital’s Employee Health department during drop-in hours for free testing. You do not need an appointment to come in during these times: Remember to bring your Volunteer Health Clearance form when you come for your appointment. Each TB/PPD test is a two-step process and requires two short visits 48 hours apart, so plan your schedule accordingly.

The TB skin test uses a small amount of purified protein derivative (PPD), which is a substance that your body’s immune system will respond to by creating a bump at the skin test site when you have TB.

A small amount of PPD is injected with a small needle just under the skin on the forearm. This area of the arm is checked 2-3 days after the injection to see if a bump develops. A nurse or physician needs to measure the size of the bump to see if you have a positive skin test. A positive skin test does NOT mean that a person has active TB, but usually means that a person has been exposed to TB at some point in the past. The skin test may be repeated twice in some groups (e.g.

a part-time teacher at a church-run pre-school so have been extensively tested and screened for both security and health, to include a criminal background check and recent TB test. I am also happy to provide personal and professional references as necessary.

A positive TB test means that someone has been exposed to the TB germ and follow up evaluation is needed. Once a positive TB test has been confirmed to be truly positive, there is no point in having repeat TB tests in the future. They will not hurt you, or cause disease, but will always continue to be positive. BCG vaccine (Bacille Calmette-Guerin) used in countries where TB is endemic, can decrease the severity of TB in children but will not prevent TB infection.

A 2-step TB test gives a more accurate baseline reading if a person has been in contact with active TB or had a BCG vaccination in the remote past. A person needs only one 2-step mantoux. Thereafter a single mantoux should be accurate if the person is healthy.

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a disease caused by a germ (called the tubercle bacterium or Mycobacterium tuberculosis). TB usually affects the lungs, but can affect other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes (glands), the bones and (rarely) the brain. Infection with the TB germ may not develop into TB disease.

The person with a positive TB skin test who has no signs or symptoms of TB cannot give the TB germ to anyone else. The positive TB skin test indicates only that the person may have been exposed to the TB germ. It does not mean that they have TB disease. The Health Department is notified about all persons suspected of having or diagnosed with active TB disease which can be passed on to another person.

A positive TB test is red & raised. This 'induration' varies from person to person, depending on exposure history, country of birth, and BCG history. Usually anything over 10 mm induration is considered positive, although 5 mm may also be considered positive in some circumstances, eg. immune suppressed persons or close contact with infectious TB.

No. Their medical history is probably entirely different from yours. Unless there is a definite active case in the classroom & there has been contact, there is no need to be tested.

In California, children entering day care or kindergarten must be cleared for tuberculosis. In addition, some school districts in Orange County require testing for new entrants. Consult your local school district office. Most employers require tuberculosis screening at time of hire. Workers in sensitive or high risk occupations, such as health care or education, may need periodic testing.

T.B. tests are good for 2 years, unless you have traveled out of the country; then you need a new one. No ? we cannot accept that. We must have a document from your physician's office that states they have seen your test and what the results are. We want a photocopy (NOT the original!) of this document. It is your responsibility to keep the original for future use. We will not provide you with photocopies of your TB test results at any time.

Yes. A tuberculin skin test detects TB infection and is available from your doctor, nurse, or health center. The skin test is determined to be positive when there is a significant amount of swelling at the skin test site 48 to 72 hours after the test is given.