Tuberculosis & TB Skin Tests
Tuberculosis is a disease caused by bacteria that is spread from person to person through the air. Common symptoms of active tuberculosis disease include cough, chest pain, and coughing up blood.
TB skin tests are given Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Fridays at JCHD. No TB skin tests are administered on Thursdays.
Tb Skin Test
TB skin tests are given Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Fridays at JCHD. TB skin tests are NOT administered on Thursdays. Testing is also not available on the business day before a long weekend or holiday closure, as staff must be available to read the test within the 48 to 72 hour required timeframe.
The TB skin test (sometimes referred to as a Mantoux test or a PPD) is performed by injecting a small amount of fluid, called tuberculin, into the skin in the lower part of the arm. A person given the tuberculin skin test must return within 48 to 72 hours to have a trained health care worker look for a reaction on the arm. The result depends on the size of the raised, hard area or swelling.
TB skin tests cannot be given within 30 days of a live virus vaccine.
TB Skin Test Results
Positive Skin Test: This means the person’s body was infected with TB bacteria. Additional tests are needed to determine if the person has latent TB infection or TB disease
Negative Skin Test: This means the person’s body did not react to the test, and that latent TB infection or TB disease is not likely.
Persons who have had a positive TB test or who have received, the BCG should not be tested again.
Contact us at (618) 684-3142, ext. 150 for further information.
Some situations require “2 step” tests. Please check with your employer/school/etc. to see if you require a 1 step or 2 steps. If a “2 step” skin test is required, the first test is given and then read in 48-72. You return 1-3 weeks after the first test to get the second test, then return for the reading in 48-72 hours.
Latent TB
People who have latent TB become infected but do not get sick, do not have any symptoms, and cannot spread TB bacteria to others. Some people with latent TB go on to develop active TB disease.
Active TB
People who have active TB disease may feel sick, have signs and symptoms, and may spread TB bacteria to others.
TB Treatment
Latent and active TB can both be treated by taking medicine . It is very important that people being treated for TB finish their medicine, which might take 6 months to a year. If medicine is not taken correctly, the germs that are still alive may become difficult to treat with the same drugs in the future.
Latent TB is treated to decrease the likelihood of its progressing to active TB in the future.
Active TB is treated to improve the health of the infected person and to decrease the risk of spreading to others.
Records are available for anyone who has been treated by the Jackson County TB Care and Treatment board for active TB or latent TB infection. Record requests should be made to 618-684-3143, ext. 150, or addressed to JCHD, Nursing Division.