The TB (Tuberculosis) screening, or PPD test, is administered by injecting a small amount of protein derivative from the TB bacterium (not the bacterium itself) just beneath the skin and then examining the area at 48-72 hours for a reaction. It is essential that a health professional read this test at the proper time or the results are not reliable and the test may need to be repeated.
A “positive” reaction does not indicate the presence of TB but only of exposure to the disease. Appropriate follow-up, including chest x-ray, is essential. The skin test for TB is done during scheduled clinics throughout the year. There is a charge for the administration of the TB test.
Students working in the health care professions are required to be screened regularly for exposure to tuberculosis (TB). Other students may request testing if they have known exposure to TB or if they come from, or have spent significant time in an area of the world in which TB is highly prevalent. The student’s clinician may request a PPD test if there are clinical symptoms that suggest the need for testing or if the student has other illnesses that might make her/him more likely to contract TB.
Update
Recent discussion surrounding cases of active tuberculosis on college and university campuses in the United States has made UHCS more concerned about the re-emergence of this old but serious health threat. As the world in general becomes a smaller and more interactive place we need to be more proactive minimizing the risk of this illness among our own student body. To this end please read the following questionnaire and take the necessary actions for the benefit of the entire NU community.
TUBERCULOSIS RISK QUESTIONNAIRE FOR NU STUDENTS
Please contact UHCS if you would like to schedule a tuberculin skin test or the TB blood test.