Tuberculosis Screening: MedlinePlus Medical Test

What is a tuberculosis (TB) screening?

A tuberculosis screening test checks to see if you have the bacteria (germs) that cause tuberculosis (TB) in your body. TB is a bacterial infection that mainly attacks the lungs. But it can also affect other parts of the body, including the brain, spine, and kidneys. TB spreads from person to person when a someone who is sick with TB coughs or sneezes.

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TB germs cause two types of conditions:

• Latent TB infection happens when you have TB germs in your body, but you're not sick because the germs aren't active. You don't have symptoms and you can't spread the disease to others. But the germs could start to grow (multiply) and make you sick in the future. So, latent TB infection is usually treated to prevent you from getting sick with active TB.
• Active TB disease means that TB germs are actively growing in your body and making you sick. If TB germs grow in your lungs or throat, you can spread the disease to other people. TB disease can almost always be cured with antibiotics. But without treatment, it can cause serious illness or even death.

A TB screening test checks to see if you have TB germs in your body. But it can't show whether you have a latent TB infection or active TB disease. If a TB screening test finds signs of TB germs, you'll need other tests to find out which type of TB you have so you can get the right treatment.

There are two types of TB tests used for screening: a TB skin test and a TB blood test. Your health care provider or your local health department can let you know which test is best for you.

Other names: TB test, TB skin test, purified protein derivative (PPD) test, latent TB infection test, Mantoux tuberculin skin test; IGRA test, TB blood test

Tuberculosis is not always easy to diagnose. Tuberculosis usually causes infection in the lungs , but not always. Tuberculosis can cause a latent (asymptomatic or quiet) infection or active tuberculosis which will require treatment. Your doctor will perform a physical exam and a skin or blood test to see if you may have tuberculosis. Additional tests are ordered depending on the results.

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Many people who have TB don&#;t have any symptoms. They have what doctors call latent TB. The TB skin test, also known as the Mantoux tuberculin skin test, is the most common way doctors diagnose tuberculosis. They&#;ll inject a tiny amount of fluid called tuberculin just below the skin in your forearm. It contains some inactive TB protein. You should feel a small prick from the needle. You&#;ll go back to your doctor 2 or 3 days later, and a health care worker will see whether you&#;ve had a reaction.

If you have a raised, hard bump or there's swelling on your arm, you have a positive test. That means TB germs are in your body. But it doesn't always mean you have active tuberculosis disease.

Your doctor may do more tests to be sure. These could include blood tests or an X-ray of your chest. They may also want to test your sputum -- that&#;s the gunk you cough up. Urine or tissue samples can also tell your doctor if the TB germs have begun to spread, or become &#;active.&#;

If you don&#;t have a reaction (or if you have a very small one), your test is negative. You don't have TB germs in your body. But if you were infected recently, your immune system may not react to the skin test yet. In that case, your doctor may want you to have another TB skin test in 8 to 10 weeks.

If you've had a positive TB skin test in the past, you'll be expected to always test positive in the future. Once you have had a positive skin test, let your doctor know. They are usually not repeated because the swelling can be worse each time.

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