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Exemption from TB test in CT schools?  

post #1 of 23
9/9/08 at 9:23pm
Thread Starter 
I spoke with the principal of the elementary school we are planning to send ds to. She told me that the TB test is "required" in their district- that no child can attend until that is taken care of (this was just in general conversation, she has no idea we're planning to turn in our exemption).
I know that most other districts don't even ask for this- so it can't be state law. I'm still trying to research it, but what should I write out for an exemption? I have the vax religious exemption all set, but I'm guessing I'll need something specific to the PPD.
post #2 of 23
9/9/08 at 9:28pm
the last time I had a tb "test" for school, it was a screening with a public health nurse and no titer.

Now, granted, I was not in CT, but it might be that all you need is a letter saying that your child was screened for tb.
post #3 of 23
9/9/08 at 9:32pm
Thread Starter 
She mentioned having to go back 24 hrs later to check the site, so I assume it's the PPD.
She cited the casinos (and the varied populations that they draw) as the reasoning for the requirement.

I'm just having a heck of a time finding something from the state saying that it is or isn't required. And I'm not sure what type of exemption to include with his health physical forms that will be going to the school nurse.
post #4 of 23
9/9/08 at 10:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ollineeba View Post
I think she actually used the word titer, now that I think about it. She cited the casinos (and the varied populations that they draw) as the reasoning for the requirement.
Ummm...is your son doing a lot of gambling???

Sorry. Inappropriate TB testing is a pet peeve of mine.
post #5 of 23
9/9/08 at 10:33pm
http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/PD.../health/TB.pdf

Quote:
The Connecticut General Statutes Sections 10-206 (b) and (c) mandate that each student have a health assessment at three time periods during his/her primary and secondary school education: just before school entry, during grade 6 or 7, and during grade 10 or 11. The Statute states that: "this assessment shall include a test for tuberculosis when the local or regional Board of Education determines, after consultation with the school medical adviser and local health department, that such a test is necessary."

Recommended Testing Schedule
Routine tuberculin testing of all students at school entry or for any of the required examinations is not recommended. The current low rates of transmission of tuberculosis in all parts of Connecticut do not justify it.
It is recommended that at each mandated examination, an assessment be made of the risk of exposure to tuberculosis.
Sounds like that, in order to REQUIRE the test, they have to have a reason for doing so.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ollineeba View Post
I have the vax religious exemption all set, but I'm guessing I'll need something specific to the PPD.
TB isn't considered vaccination, so it doesn't fall under immunization exemption. If you HAVE to have it done, request a Quantiferon (blood) test rather than the Mantoux (skin) test - that way, nothing is injected.
post #6 of 23
9/9/08 at 11:05pm
FYI - my son is in 3rd grade in CT and we've never been offered a TB test...
post #7 of 23
9/9/08 at 11:15pm
What if you just told them it's against your religion? Might they possibly be scared of a lawsuit if they pursued you after that?
post #8 of 23
9/10/08 at 10:26am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MsGrizzle View Post
FYI - my son is in 3rd grade in CT and we've never been offered a TB test...
I know.. most districts don't ask for it. I believe there are only two: Colchester and Darien, if I understand correctly.
post #9 of 23
9/10/08 at 10:32am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by spero View Post
http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/PD.../health/TB.pdf



Sounds like that, in order to REQUIRE the test, they have to have a reason for doing so.



TB isn't considered vaccination, so it doesn't fall under immunization exemption. If you HAVE to have it done, request a Quantiferon (blood) test rather than the Mantoux (skin) test - that way, nothing is injected.
Right.. but it sounds like the local board has decided that they have reason to require their district to do it
I really don't want to do the Quantiferon, either, because ds would absolutely freak out. He's ASD and I can't communicate the necessity of that to him- and I would by lying, anyway, if I told him that I thought it was necessary. I'll wait until I really NEED to get a blood draw for something important before I subject him to that.
(But you're right, that would be a better option if I HAD to pick one of the two!)
post #10 of 23
9/10/08 at 10:41am
Thread Starter 
See, I'd like to show them the part that says it's not recommended and the low rates of transmission in most parts of CT.. but in the first paragraph it mentions that the local board of ed and health dept. can decide that it's necessary.
post #11 of 23
9/10/08 at 10:43am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by WildKingdom View Post
Ummm...is your son doing a lot of gambling???

Sorry. Inappropriate TB testing is a pet peeve of mine.
Hehe.. not unless he's been sneaking out a lot at night
His dad works there, though.
post #12 of 23
9/10/08 at 11:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ollineeba View Post
the local board of ed and health dept. can decide that it's necessary.
So the first thing you might want to do is contact the Board of Ed (or the school superintendent) and find out if that has, indeed, happened.

If so, then you can request the Quantiferon blood test, and no worries about toxin injection.
post #13 of 23
9/10/08 at 12:12pm
Thread Starter 
So I called the DPH TB control program this morning and talked with someone who seemed pretty knowledgeable. It seems that this isn't governed by state law, it is, infact, governed locally (I know that's what the site said, but I wanted to double check).
That seems so strange to me.
She said most schools will just use the risk assessment but others require the actual test. That stinks.
I will call around today to find out where we can request the Quantiferon test. I'd rather not do any of it, though, honestly.
ETA: the only location that comes up in CT is Hartford- about an hour away. Ugh.
post #14 of 23
9/10/08 at 3:45pm
*dp
post #15 of 23
9/10/08 at 3:47pm
Whhhaaaaaa? It's a blood test ... You can't just ask your doc for a lab order?

Personally, if I had no other choice, I'd make the hour long trip to avoid the Mantoux - but I just can't believe that there's no lab near you that can at least do the blood draw and then send it out for testing, if they don't do it themselves.
post #16 of 23
9/10/08 at 5:28pm
Thread Starter 
http://www.quantiferon.com/

It lists the locations where you can get the QFT gold test.

I don't know.. I've never questioned the PPD test before. I've gotten it for myself before, but I'm hesitant to give it to ds. I'm still trying to read as much as I can.
post #17 of 23
9/10/08 at 6:17pm
Another case of know your rights. CT has a well hidden statute that we use. We don't do "mandatory" school physicals, "mandatory" vaccinations or any other supposedly "mandatory" school medical garbage.

Quote:
To Whom It May Concern:
RE: ______________________
Under Section 10-208 of the Connecticut general statutes, we are asserting that a physical examination of this child is would be contrary to the religious beliefs of the family.
Sec. 10-208. Exemption from examination or treatment.
No provision of section 10-206 or 10-214 shall be construed to require any pupil to undergo a physical or medical examination or treatment, or to be compelled to receive medical instruction, if the parent or legal guardian of such pupil or the pupil, if such pupil is an emancipated minor or is eighteen years of age or older, in writing, notifies the teacher or principal or other person in charge of such pupil that such parent or guardian or pupil objects, on religious grounds, to such physical or medical examination or treatment or medical instruction.


Signature of Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
Date




Signature of Parent(s)/Guardian(s)


Date
LINK
post #18 of 23
9/10/08 at 10:04pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fyrestorm View Post
Another case of know your rights. CT has a well hidden statute that we use. We don't do "mandatory" school physicals, "mandatory" vaccinations or any other supposedly "mandatory" school medical garbage.
Thanks. That is the info I was looking for!
We have an awesome ped. and he filled out the health assessment form (with info from our last yearly physical).
So.. I'm thinking that I will turn that in, with a religious exemption for the vax (to explain the blank spaces). I think I'll include this statute as well.
post #19 of 23
9/11/08 at 8:01pm
Thread Starter 
Fyrestorm- I just wanted to say THANK YOU again. I dropped off all of our paperwork today and everything went smoothly!! I appreciate the help
post #20 of 23
9/11/08 at 8:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ollineeba View Post
Fyrestorm- I just wanted to say THANK YOU again. I dropped off all of our paperwork today and everything went smoothly!! I appreciate the help
Wonderful! Glad it worked out!
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