Tuberculosis Test
At Bristol & First Medical Clinic & Urgent Care, we offer two types of tuberculosis tests that can check for active tuberculosis or previous tuberculosis exposure: the standard tuberculosis skin test and the tuberculosis X-ray examination. No appointment is necessary to get a tuberculosis test at our Santa Ana clinic. If you would like to get a tuberculosis test, you can simply come in to our clinic for a walk-in appointment.
What is Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis, also called TB, is a potentially serious infectious disease. Tuberculosis is caused by a bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that primarily infects the lungs. TB spreads through tiny droplets that are released in the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks, or spits.
There are two types of tuberculosis: active tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis.
Active TB, also called TB disease, occurs when the bacteria that causes TB is actively affecting the body. People with active TB are contagious and symptomatic. Some symptoms of active TB include coughing that lasts for three or more weeks, coughing up blood, chest pain, pain when breathing, pain when coughing, weight loss, fatigue, weakness, fever, chills, night sweats, and loss of appetite. While tuberculosis primarily affects the lungs, it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, liver, spine, or brain. If another part of the body becomes infected by TB, a person can have symptoms related to the infected organs.
Latent TB occurs when TB bacteria is present in the body but is not active. A person with latent TB is infected with TB but they are not contagious and they will not show symptoms of active TB. Latent TB is a cause for concern because it can become active TB. Latent TB may become active shortly after TB exposure or years after TB exposure.
Tuberculosis is treatable and curable. TB can be treated with a 6 month course of antimicrobial drugs. However, untreated active TB (or latent TB that becomes active TB) can cause serious health complications or can be fatal.
Who Should Get a Tuberculosis Test?
People may get a tuberculosis test because they show signs of active TB or because they want to check for latent TB. Tuberculosis tests can be used to diagnose both active TB and latent TB. Anyone can get tuberculosis. However, certain individuals are at a higher risk of TB exposure, including:
Those who have spent time with someone who has active TB People who travel to or live in countries where active TB is prevalent (areas with high rates of TB include Africa, Asia, the Caribbean Islands, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Russia) Health care workers who have regular contact with ill persons who may have TB People who live or work in high risk settings (these include prisons, homeless shelters, and nursing homes)
Then, certain people are more likely to get active TB after being exposed to TB bacteria, including:
People with weakened immune systems (including those with HIV)
Babies and young children
Elderly people
Smokers
Users of injectable drugs
People who drink excessive amounts of alcohol
Types of Tuberculosis Tests
At Bristol & First Medical Clinic & Urgent Care, we offer two types of tests that can check for current or previous TB exposure: the TB skin test and the TB X-ray examination. The TB skin test consists of a single skin prick on the arm. When the skin is pricked, a substance called PPD tuberculin is injected just below the skin. 48 to 72 hours after getting this test, your doctor will examine your arm to determine whether or not you have a positive reaction that indicates TB infection.
TB X-rays are generally done after a patient has had a positive TB skin test reaction. With this
type of TB test, your chest will be X-rayed. Then, your doctor will inspect your X-ray for signs of walled off TB bacteria (indicating latent TB) or for changes in your lungs that are common with active TB.