What is TB?

Tuberculosis (TB), often called "the white death", “TB Sickness”, or "consumption”, is a bacterial infection that usually affects the lungs. Whether you’re testing for university, employment, immigration, or for personal reasons, Request A Test makes it easy and affordable to get a TB blood test today. We offer both FDA-approved blood tests for Tuberculosis: the Quantiferon Gold and T-Spot.

What is TB Sickness?

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a serious bacterial infection caused by the mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria that can affect the lungs as well as other areas of the body, including the spine, brain, and/or kidneys. Not everyone who is acutely infected with TB gets sick. In fact, having no symptoms, known as inactive tuberculosis, Inactive TB, or Latent TB, is quite common.

Nearly 13 million people in the US have latent TB. Latent TB can spend a lifetime being dormant to the point where one may never develop symptoms. Latent TB-infected individuals cannot spread TB to others. Of course, Latent TB could become active if your immune system is weakened. The weakened immune system may not be able to stop the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria from growing. People who are taking certain medications or have health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, or HIV may have a weaker immune system.

What Causes Tuberculosis?

TB is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The germs are spread through the air and can infect your lungs, and possibly other parts of your body, when inhaled. Infected individuals can release tiny droplets that carry the bacteria through the air and can spread while that person is speaking, singing, laughing, coughing, sneezing, etc. A person can get TB infection after inhaling these droplets. TB is also more likely to spread indoors (schools, concerts, bars, homes, planes, buses, etc). So, the disease can easily spread in places where people congregate for long periods and in crowded gatherings.

What are the Signs and Symptoms Of Tuberculosis?

The symptoms of Tuberculosis are similar to the symptoms of many different illnesses. Symptoms include, but are not limited to:

• Cough (lasting longer than two weeks)
• Chest pain
• Cough up blood or sputum (mucus)
• Fatigue or weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Chills
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Blood in stool or urine

You won’t have symptoms if you have latent TB, however, you might have a positive TB test.

What is a Tuberculosis Screening?

There are two types of Tuberculosis infection screening Tests: A skin test and a blood test.

Mantoux Test, also known as the tuberculin skin test (TST), is a skin test. This test is best performed on children under the age of 5 to test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This test measures your immune system’s response to a Purified Protein Derivative (PPD) solution. PPD is a protein that comes from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, however, it is not live and will not make anyone sick. This solution is injected under your skin. If you’ve been exposed to TB bacteria, your skin will react to the PPD and will form red bumps at the site of the injection within a few days.

Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) is the Blood TB test. The IGRA test is more common among healthcare workers and those with compromised immune systems or who may become immunocompromised due to medications. Laboratory scientists mix your blood sample with antigens and controls. They then measure the reaction called an Immunoassay. They interpret the results as Positive, Negative, or Indeterminate.

TB skin and blood tests will determine if you’ve ever been infected with M. tuberculosis complex, but they can’t distinguish between latent TB and active TB infection. You’ll need additional tests to see if you have an active infection.

If your result comes back negative, you have likely not been exposed to the TB bacterium. However, if your results come back positive, it probably means you’ve been exposed to the bacterium that causes TB. Your healthcare provider will likely order more tests to help make a diagnosis. Tests that diagnose active TB infections include chest X-rays. You’ll need treatment for TB, whether it’s latent or active.

How to get a TB Blood Test near you

Whether you’re testing for university, employment, immigration, or for personal reasons, Request A Test makes it easy and affordable to get a TB blood test today. We offer both FDA-approved blood tests for Tuberculosis: The QuantiFERON Gold and T-Spot. If you are at risk of TB infection, don't wait to get tested. Order lab testing from Request A Test, and we will provide the medical order. This means there is no need to see your own doctor or go through insurance. Just order and go to the lab the same day. You can buy a test online or call our team at 888-732-2348 during business hours. 

Why choose Request A Test?

• Affordable pricing
• Over 7,000 convenient nationwide locations
• Same-day testing and rapid results
• No doctor's order or insurance is required

Your health is your most valuable asset, and Request A Test empowers you to protect it.

Sources:

• Tuberculosis - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic
• Tuberculosis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
• About Active Tuberculosis Disease | Tuberculosis (TB) | CDC
• TB Test: What It Is, How It Works, Results & Side Effects

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