Influenza & FluMist Vaccinations
Tetanus (Tdap) Vaccinations
Hepatitis A & B Vaccinations
Mantoux Testing & Readings for Tuberculosis
Meningococcal Vaccinations
MMR (Measels, Mumps & Rubella) Vaccinations
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccinations
Pneumonia (Pneumococcal) Vaccinations
Rabies Vaccinations
Shingles Zoster Vaccinations
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Mantoux Testing & Readings for Tuberculosis
Homeland Health Specialists provides Mantoux Testing, a simple skin test to check for Tuberculosis. We can also provide Mantoux test reading, after it has been administered. It is recommended that all health care workers be tested annually.
Contact us for more information.
Tuberculosis Frequently Asked Questions
What is tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that spreads from person to person through the air. TB usually affects the lungs. The TB germs enter the air when a person with TB in their lungs, coughs, sneezes, laughs or sings. Tuberculosis can also affect other parts of the body such as the brain, kidneys or spine.
What are the symptoms of TB?
General symptoms may include feeling weak or sick, weight loss, fever and/or night sweats. Symptoms of TB of the lungs may include cough, chest pain and/or coughing up blood. Other symptoms depend on the particular part of the body affected.
No one gets TB anymore, do they?
YES! About 8 million new cases occur each year in the world; in the United State, more than 22,000 cases are reported each year. There are also an estimated 10-15 million people in the U.S. who are infected with the TB germ, and have the potential to develop the disease in the future.
Who is at risk for TB?
Anyone can get TB, but some people are at higher risk. Those at higher risk include:
- people who share the same breathing space (family, friends and coworkers) with someone who has the Tuberculosis Disease.
- poor people
- homeless people
- foreign-born people from countries where a large part of the population is infected
- nursing home residents
- prisoners
- alcoholics and intravenious drug users
- people with medical conditions such as diabetes, certain types of cancer and those underweight
- people with HIV infection (the virus that causes AIDS)
How can I tell if I have TB?
First, get a Mantoux Test. It is a skin test where a small needle is used to put some testing material, call tuberculin, just under your skin. This is usually done on the inside of the arm. The person getting the test must return in 48-72 hours to see if there is a reaction to the test. If there is a positive reaction, the size is measured, and additional tests will probably be given to determine if you have TB infection or TB disease.
A positive test usually means that the person has been infected with the TB germ. It does not necessarily mean that the person has TB disease. Other tests, such as an x-ray or sputum sample, are needed to determine if the person has TB disease.
A negative test (no reaction) usually means that the person is not infected. However, the test may be falsely negative in a person who has been recently infected. It usually takes 2-10 weeks after exposure for a skin test to react positive. The test may also be falsely negative if the person's immune system is not working properly.
What is the difference between TB infection and TB disease?
People with TB disease are sick from germs that are active in their body. They usually have one or more of the symptoms of TB. These people are often capable of giving the infection to others. Permanent body damage and death can result from TB disease. Medicines that can cure TB are given to these people
People with TB infection (without diease) have the germ that causes TB in their body. They are not sick because the germ lies inactive in their body. They cannot spread the germ to others. However, these people may develop TB disease in the future, especially if they are in one of the high risk groups listed above. Medicine is often prescribed to prevent these people from developing active TB disease.
What should I do if I have Tuberculosis infection or Tuberculosis disease?
Get the required follow-up tests. Follow your doctor's advice, and take the medication as prescribed. Today, TB is easily prevented and cured with medication.
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