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Originally Posted by justice'smom  Can someone tell me what tb testing is and why a non vaxer would say no.
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Mantoux Skin (PPD) Test (the most common form of TB testing)
0.1 ml of purified protein derivative (taken from dead tuberculosis bacteria) containing 5 tuberculin units - plus
Phenol and
polysorbate 80 is injected subcutaneously, then the area is checked for any reaction 48-72 hours later.
http://lungdiseases.about.com/od/tub...oux_test_2.htmQuantiFERON Gold TB (blood) Test
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| The QuantiFERON®-TB Gold test (QFT-G) is a whole-blood test for use as an aid in diagnosing Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, including latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and tuberculosis (TB) disease. This test was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005. |
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| Blood samples are mixed with antigens (substances that can produce an immune response) and controls. For QFT-G, the antigens include mixtures of synthetic peptides representing two M. tuberculosis proteins, ESAT-6 and CFP-10. After incubation of the blood with antigens for 16 to 24 hours, the amount of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is measured. |
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| QFT-G can be used in all circumstances in which the tuberculin skin test (TST) is currently used |
http://www.cdc.gov/tb/pubs/tbfactsheets/QFT.htmQuantiFERON test locator site
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Originally Posted by Carma I included PPD skin testing in our vax exemption letter, would that do it? We are in NJ however.
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Look at your state laws and statutes. Since TB testing is not technically vaccination, it may not fall under religious exemption (as in newborn testing/procedures, like Vitamin K and silver nitrate for eyes, sometimes do not). As Fyrestorm pointed out, though - sometimes the statutes are there, but well-buried, and you really have to search them out.
It probably depends on the school administration, as well. Some may be okay with including TB testing within an exemption, and some may not - which is why it's so important to know the laws and your rights.
