Salt Lake Valley Health Department
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Infectious Disease Tuberculosis Program
Do I need a TB skin test?
Tuberculosis (TB) Skin testing is recommended only for people who:
- have symptoms of TB;
- are at higher risk for becoming infected with TB germs;
- are at higher risk of becoming sick if they have the TB infection.
Should I be tested?
You may need the TB test if you:
- have any signs of TB (cough, tiredness, night sweats, fever, weight loss, coughing up blood)
- have close contact with someone who has TB disease
- are a health care worker
- live or work in a prison, jail, mental institution, or a nursing home
- have lived or traveled in a country where a lot of people have TB
- use needles to inject drugs
- have certain medical conditions such as:
- cancer
- severe kidney disease
- diabetes
- silicosis
- HIV infection
- are on steroid medication
- are severely underweight
A health care worker will ask you questions to find out if you should be tested for TB.
Please tell the health care worker if you have had a positive reaction to a TB test in the past or been on medication for TB disease or to prevent TB disease
What if my employer or school requires a TB Test?
If the health care worker determines that you do not need to be tested, you will be given a letter for your employer, school, or who ever sent you for the test. The letter will state that you have had a negative TB screening assessment and a skin test was not needed.
Not Everyone Needs a TB Skin Test
If you have questions, contact the Salt Lake Valley Health Dept TB Program at (385) 468-4222.
More information on TB Skin Tests
Tuberculin Skin Testing Fact Sheet
QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Test Fact Sheet