What is a TB test for?

Testing may be offered after close contact with someone who has tuberculosis, before certain medicines that affect immunity, or as part of an occupational or travel assessment. The common options are a blood test called an IGRA and a skin test such as Mantoux. A positive result suggests TB infection, but it does not by itself show whether infection is active or where it is located.

A clinician may ask about symptoms, previous testing, vaccination history and immune health. If active disease is a concern, the assessment can include a chest examination, sputum testing or a Chest X-Ray. A negative result lowers concern but may not settle the question soon after exposure or when immunity is reduced.

Ask the testing service which method is planned and whether you need to return for a skin-test reading. Bring details of any earlier TB test, exposure, symptoms and medicines that affect your immune system. Keep the appointment for interpreting the result; a positive screen needs clinical assessment rather than self-treatment.

If your result suggests infection, the next step may be Tuberculosis Screening with additional questions and tests. Treatment decisions depend on whether infection is inactive or active, your health, and findings from the assessment.

Contact a clinician promptly if you have a persistent cough, coughing blood, chest pain, fever, night sweats, unexplained weight loss or marked tiredness, especially after known exposure. Seek urgent medical help for severe breathing difficulty, significant bleeding when coughing, confusion or fainting. Do not wait for routine screening if these symptoms are present.

Which TB test is suitable for me, and when should it be done after an exposure? What would a positive or negative result mean in my situation? Do my symptoms or medicines mean I need a Chest X-Ray or another test?