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Tuberculin Test
What is tuberculosis?
• Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacteria which can cause
serious lung infections. It can affect any organ or tissue in
the body.
• TB is spread by nasal droplets from an infected person
and rarely by unpasteurized milk from infected cows.
• About 50% of people with tuberculosis will die if
untreated.
What does the tuberculin test
contain?
• The test solution contains phenol and polysorbate 80.
• The tuberculin test packaging does not contain latex.
Who should receive a
tuberculin test?
• People who may have been exposed to tuberculosis.
• Health care workers.
• HIV infected persons.
• Day care workers.
• Other occupational groups, by request.
• International travellers expecting to have contact with
residents of countries where tuberculosis rates are high
(pre travel).
• International travellers who have returned from countries
where TB rates are high when their pre travel test was
non-reactive.
Who should not receive a
tuberculin test?
• Anyone who has had a life-threatening allergic reaction to
any of the test components.
• Children under 6 weeks (inconclusive results).
• People who have reacted positively to previous tuberculin
tests.
• People with extensive burns or eczema.
• People with active tuberculosis, a history of treatment or
prophylaxis of active tuberculosis.
When should the test be done?
• Either before or at the same time or at least one month
following a live virus vaccine (e.g. measles/
mumps/rubella, yellow fever, or chickenpox vaccine).
• At least one month after any viral infection, disease or
treatment which lowers the immune response.
• If a traveller’s pre travel test was non-reactive, repeat
testing 3 months after returning home. This will determine
if the traveller was exposed to the bacteria while
travelling.
• Test results are read 48-72 hours after testing.
How is the test given?
• By a single injection into the skin (test may be repeated
within 1–3 weeks later for certain indications).
How often should someone be
tested?
• Varies according to risk group
What might be felt after the
test?
• (Expected) either no reaction or a small red or hard area
at the injection site
• Occasionally pain, itching, or localized rash at injection site
• (Rarely) severe allergic reaction within 24 hours
• (Very rarely) skin breakdown at the injection site
• Call the number below if you have severe or unusual
reactions.
For more information contact Public Health Services at
(306) 655-4780.
©2008, Saskatoon Health Region. Reproduced only by permission.
(Updated March 2, 2009)
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