Tuberculosis (TB) Test

What is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis is a dangerous bacterial infection that causes serious damage to the respiratory system. However, tuberculosis may also affect your heart, brain or kidneys if left untreated for a long period of time. The virus called Mycobacterium Tuberculosis is the main reason behind this infection. You can get the disease in your body from another affected person as the virus may get transferred to your body through the droplets released from the affected person’s nose or mouth.

What is a Tuberculosis test?

A tuberculosis test is a diagnostic process that is used to determine the presence of tuberculosis infection in any individual. Both active and latent tuberculosis infections can be detected through tuberculosis tests.

Who may need an immediate screening for tuberculosis?

A person must go for a test once the primary signs of TB infection start getting visible in the body. Some of the major symptoms of tuberculosis infection may include

• Coughing up blood
• Pain in the chest
• Unexplained weight loss
• Long-lasting bad cough
• Fever and chills
• Loss of appetite

Who are at a high risk of getting this infection in the body?

• People who have spent a lot of time with any patient who has an active tuberculosis infection.
• People who are healthcare workers.
• People who have a compromised immune system.
• People who have had recent exposure to tuberculosis.

What is the purpose of tuberculosis tests?

The main purpose of Tuberculosis tests is to help to detect the presence of active or latent tuberculosis infection in the body. If you have an active tuberculosis infection then you will grow symptoms but there will be no symptoms if you have a latent TB infection. In both cases, the most effective way to get the presence of this deadly infection detected in the body is to go for a tuberculosis test.

What to expect during a TB Blood test process?

Your blood sample is required to perform the test. A healthcare professional will be collecting a particular amount of blood from your vein. A small-sized needle will be used to fetch blood from your vein. After the sample collection process is done, a bandage will be placed over the site from which the blood has been fetched. There are usually no risks associated with this process.

What is the procedure for a TB blood test?

If you have got a TB infection in your body, a protein called interferon-gamma will be produced by your blood cells once the sample is mixed with antigens in the laboratory. After mixing the collected blood sample with antigens, the pathologists will measure the reaction using immunoassay. Your test report will be interpreted as negative, positive or indeterminate. As soon as you get the test results, get in touch with a doctor as soon as possible to discuss further treatment options.

What does the test report mean?

If your test report is positive, then it indicates that most likely you have been exposed to Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and then the healthcare professionals may suggest some more tests for a more precise diagnosis. If the test report is negative, then it indicates that you possibly have not been exposed to the tuberculosis virus. However, it is recommended to consider going for a test again if the test report is negative but you are experiencing all the symptoms of tuberculosis infection.