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TB
(Tuberculosis) Skin Test
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What is the
test?
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that most
often involves the lungs, but can involve many
other organs. Although antibiotics can treat
most cases, TB remains one of the most common
causes of death worldwide. The TB skin test,
also called the purified protein derivative (PPD)
test or Mantoux test, shows if you've ever been
infected with the bacteria that cause tuberculosis.
Infections with these bacteria can be active
or inactive. In active infections, the bacteria
are reproducing rapidly, and the person is contagious
when he or she coughs. In people with inactive
infections, the bacteria are alive deep within
the lungs, but "asleep." Because inactive infections
can later "wake up" and become active, it is
important to recognize and treat both types of
TB infections.
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How
do I prepare for the test?
Because vaccinations and steroids can affect
the results of the test, tell your doctor if
you've recently been vaccinated for an infectious
disease or if you're taking a steroid medication.
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What
happens when the test is performed?
A doctor injects a small amount of liquid containing
protein extracted from killed TB bacteria just
under the surface of the skin of your forearm,
through a tiny needle. You might feel a slight
pinch from the injection, and see a small swollen
area form where the liquid has been injected.
The doctor often draws a circle around the injection
spot and asks you to avoid washing it away. Then,
48-72 hours later, you return to have the injection
area examined. If the skin is firm and raised
where the injection was given, the doctor measures
the size of the affected area. The larger it
is, the greater the likelihood that you have
been infected with the TB bacteria at some time
in the past, and that you have a current infection.
The test cannot distinguish between an inactive
and active infection.
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What
risks are there from the test?
There are no risks.
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Must
I do anything special after the test is over?
Remember to return to have the injection site examined.
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How
long is it before the result of the test is
known?
The result is known two to three days later
when the skin is examined. If the test is positive,
your doctor may do blood or urine tests and x-rays
of the chest and possibly other parts of the
body to look for evidence of an active infection.
If you do not have an active infection, your
doctor might prescribe an antibiotic given over
several months, to help prevent you from developing
active tuberculosis. If you do have an active
infection, a much more intensive treatment involving
multiple antibiotics is required.
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