Health Services
Tuberculosis (TB) |
|
Tuberculosis (TB)
What is tuberculosis (TB)?
Tuberculosis is a disease caused by bacteria that is spread through the air. These bacteria get into the air when a person with infectious TB disease of the lungs coughs, sneezes, laughs or sings and anybody nearby may breath in these bacteria and become infected. People with TB disease are more likely to spread the bacteria to people they spend time with on an everyday basis (e.g. family, friends, coworkers).
Why do they test for TB?
A tuberculin skin test will show whether someone has been exposed to the TB bacteria. You may require TB skin testing for employment, volunteer placement or because you have been in contact with a person who has TB.
How do they test for TB?
PART ONE:
A small amount of purified protein derivative solution is injected just under the first layer of skin on your inner forearm. A small bubble may appear that looks like a small welt or mosquito bite.
PART TWO:
48-72 hours after the skin test you need to return to the clinic and have your reaction to the injection measured. If the test is positive, it means that you have been exposed to the TB bacteria- IT DOES NOT MEAN you have active tuberculosis. A chest X-ray and medical exam may be necessary to exclude active tuberculin of the lungs.
Doing the Test Again
Often there may be no reaction to an initial skin test and you may be required to repeat the 2 part test 1-3 weeks later.. Repeating the test is done to provide an accurate baseline for future testing and is done for your first test or every 5 years..
WLU Health Services will be hosting a TB skin test clinic in the Student Health and Development Centre (located across from the Dining Hall). Please see the Health Services web site for dates and times at www.mylaurier.ca/health
You can get tested for TB at Health Services or your family doctor can arrange for you to have a test.
Precautions:
This test is not given to persons:
· Who have ever had a positive TB skin test
· Who have had active tuberculosis
· Who have been treated with TB drugs
· Who have had a viral infection such as measles, mumps, influenza, rubella or who have received the MMR vaccine in the past 4 months.