Mothering › Forums › Health › Health and Healing › TB test
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

TB test

post #1 of 5
4/1/11 at 4:33pm
Thread Starter 

My 16-month old isn't vaccinated, and I'm wondering about the TB test. I've read that some pediatricians do the TB test as part of their well check-ups. So my question before my next well check and if they want to do a TB test, what's in it? I know the TB protein is in it but what else is in the solution? Saline solution? What chemicals? TIA!

Reply
Reply
post #2 of 5
4/2/11 at 6:50am

I don't have info on what's in the TB test, but I have never heard of it being done for well baby checks. My DCs pedi certainly has never brought it up. Do you live in an area with a lot of TB? 

Reply
Reply
post #3 of 5
4/2/11 at 7:11am
Thread Starter 

No, I don't think so. However, I was just reading about baby well check-ups and saw that some doctors do the TB test. And I just wanted to be prepared beforehand.

Reply
Reply
post #4 of 5
4/4/11 at 2:46pm

You're in the US, right? TB is pretty rare in this country, so the TB vaccine isn't on the normal schedule and is not routinely given. I would doubt your ped would suggest it. The test is mostly used to screen people at high risk, or people who work in the medical (and sometimes childcare) fields who could expose others. So I would also highly doubt your ped would suggest testing, unless you have some kind of specific risk factor. 

 

That said, there are two tests that I know of that are used for screening. The Mantoux test consists of injecting a very small amount (1/10 of a mL) of a purified protein derivative of TB just under the surface of the skin. The Tine test uses 4 tiny needles to press the TB antigens into the skin. Usually it's in the underside of the forearm. A reaction to the test means the person has been exposed to TB (the immune system "recognizes" the proteins and reacts.) Likewise, no reaction suggests no exposure. False positives are pretty common. It's a slight pinch when administered, I'd say quite a bit less uncomfortable than a regular injection or a blood test. The main risk is (obviously) a skin reaction. I have never heard of any others. Hope that helps!

Reply
Reply
post #5 of 5
4/4/11 at 4:50pm

TB is on the rise in US and yu do not have to do PPD, the skin test if you do nto want to, there another way. PPD is benight and I never heard of anyone having a reaciton to it. However, there is  now a blood test called QuantiFERON-TB Gold test . Blood comes out and nothing comes in. It accurate and they do it for healthcare workers now insted fo PPD.

Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Health and Healing
Mothering › Forums › Health › Health and Healing › TB test