TB (tuberculosis) Tests Available
The Braintree and Natick offices offer two TB tests options:
- Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)
- QuantiFERON-TB Gold (IGRA blood test)
What is a TB Skin Test?
Also known as a TST or PPD test, the TB skin test helps determine if a person has a past exposure to the bacterium that causes tuberculosis infection. A small amount of purified protein derivative (PPD) is placed under the skin to create a bump called a “wheal.” To complete the test, you must return 48-72 hours after placement and have the skin inspected and “read.” For some schools and employers, a two-step skin test is required to determine your baseline TB status. In a two-step test, the TST is repeated 7 days after the 1st test is read.
What is a TB Blood Test?
The QuantiFERON-TB Gold is a type of IGRA (Interferon Gamma Release Assay) test to check for past tuberculosis infection. The blood test is completed in a single visit and the sample is sent to a laboratory for testing. Results post within a few days. If you have been previously vaccinated with BCG (bacille Calmette-Guérin), the IGRA test is preferred over the skin test as it does not produce a false-positive result.
Who Needs TB Testing?
Many health care professionals require tuberculosis testing at time of hire and certain higher risk groups need yearly testing like respiratory therapists and emergency department employees. When exposure to a person with tuberculosis occurs, testing is recommended immediately afterward and again 8-10 weeks following the exposure.
Not only is baseline TB testing a requirement for credentialed medical professionals, but many allied health programs require students to submit a negative test before beginning courses. This includes students in nursing, medicine, physical therapy, patient care technicians, emergency medicine technicians (EMTs), and dentistry among others.
What if My TB Test is Positive?
If a TB test (skin or blood) returns positive, additional testing is needed, often involving a chest x-ray and sputum sample to determine if the infection is current (active) or past (inactive). Many people worldwide have been exposed to the tuberculosis bacteria and develop a latent (dormant) infection. While a person with a latent infection cannot spread the disease to others, sometimes the infection can reactivate later in life and medication is given to prevent this from happening. Read more about tuberculosis from the CDC.
