What does it mean to have latent TB infection (LTBI)?

Latent TB infection means that TB germs are in a person’s body but are not active. Many healthy people have LTBI. Most of them never get sick. The germs are in their bodies, but are not active and cannot be spread to others.

Do I need the TB skin test even if I was vaccinated with BCG?

Yes. The BCG vaccine usually does not protect people against TB. Even if you had the vaccine, you can still become infected with the TB germ and develop active TB disease. Therefore, you may still need a TB skin test. Talk to your health care worker for more information.

I have been exposed to someone with TB but do not have a positive skin test; do I still need to take medicine?

If you have been exposed to someone who has active TB, and the result of your skin test is “negative,” you most likely do not have TB germs in your body. You probably do not need to take medicine. However, in some instances your doctor may recommend treatment, even if the result of your skin test is negative. Also, someone whose immune system is weakened by chronic medical conditions may also be recommended to take medicine even though the TB skin test may not be positive.

What is DOTS implementation?

It is a strategy being practiced in more than 180 countries, including India. Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) applying the principles of DOTS to the Indian context.
FOR MORE INFO: http://tbassnindia.org/DOTSClinicsinIndia.html

What are the tests for TB?

To fight this global epidemic, India initiated the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP). Which uses the WHO recommended DOTS strategy in fighting the disease. In March 2006 India officially announced 100% coverage of the DOTS strategy; this means everyone has a health facility in their area that provides free diagnosis and treatment for TB.

Blood tests
Chest X-ray

If you’ve had a positive skin test, your doctor is likely to order a chest X-ray. This may show white spots in your lungs where your immune system has walled off TB bacteria, or it may reveal changes in your lungs caused by active tuberculosis.

Sputum tests

If your chest X-ray shows signs of tuberculosis, your doctor may take a sample of your sputum — the mucus that comes up when you cough. The samples are tested for TB bacteria. These bacteria can also be tested to see if they are resistant to the effects of medications commonly used to treat tuberculosis. This helps your doctor choose the medications that are most likely to work.
Tuberculin skin test: The TB skin test (also called the Mantoux tuberculin skin test) is performed by injecting a small amount of fluid (called tuberculin) into the skin in the lower part of the arm. A person given the tuberculin skin test must return within 48 to 72 hours to have a trained health care worker look for a reaction on the arm. The health care worker will look for a raised, hard area or swelling, and if present, measure its size using a ruler. Redness by itself is not considered part of the reaction.
The skin test result depends on the size of the raised, hard area or swelling. It also depends on the person’s risk of being infected with TB bacteria and the progression to TB disease if infected.

Positive skin test: This means the person’s body was infected with TB bacteria. Additional tests are needed to determine if the person has latent TB infection or TB disease. A health care worker will then provide treatment as needed.
Negative skin test: This means the person’s body did not react to the test, and that latent TB infection or TB disease is not likely.

FOR MORE INFO: http://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/testing/default.htm

What do I do if I have been exposed to someone with active TB?

If you have been exposed to someone with active TB disease or meet any of the criteria for testing listed in the previous question, you should get a TB skin test. The TB skin test is an easy way to tell if the TB germs are in your body. A trained health care worker will examine your arm 2 or 3 days after the test has been placed. If the test is “positive,” you probably have LTBI. You will need a chest x-ray and a medical examination to make sure that you don’t have TB disease and to see if you should receive treatment for latent TB infection.