I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for the TB Blood Test. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.
What is TB?
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by germs that are spread from person to person through the air. TB usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys, or the spine. A person with TB can die if they do not get treatment.
Why do we get TB tests?
Did you know that Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the world’s deadliest diseases?
- One third of the world’s population is infected with TB
- In 2013, 9 million people around the world became sick with TB disease. There were around 1.5 million TB-related deaths worldwide.
- TB is a leading killer of people who are HIV infected.
TB- Why the Blood Test is most efficient and accurate test
I have worked in the health care field since 1990- oh my, that makes me feel old! One pre-requisite for working in the healthcare is getting a TB test. Back in the day, we didn’t have the option of having a TB Blood Test. The skin test was the standard of care. It was SO inefficient. One time, I had my little skin bleb TB Test and the nurse that “read” and recorded the results was not around the day I needed mine read. I had to have the skin test twice just because my first one never got interpreted.
That wasn’t the worst part. Because the interpretation is subjective, many false positives were found. Just having a TB immunization in the past can also cause a false positive. What happens when you TB skin test is positive? False positives need Chest X-rays to rule out active TB in the lungs. OR, if you happen to be allergic to the skin test, you would also get a Chest X-Ray. All that unnecessary radiation exposure just because of an antiquated TB skin test.
Image Source: The TB Blood Test
Now there is another option! The TB Blood Test is the easiest way to get accurate results with only one doctor or clinic visit. The blood test can help diagnose tuberculosis (TB) infection and is a major scientific advance over the 110-year-old skin test. The blood test gives greater accuracy and a more reliable results.
Advantages of using the TB blood test:
- The most accurate test for TB infection – no cross reaction with a previous TB vaccination- no subjective interpretation.
- Regardless of patient age or immune status, only a small blood draw is needed.
- No return visits to get your test evaluated.
Infographic Source: CDC
Want more information about TB and testing? Visit the TB Blood Test Site. Other resources are available at the CDC and Stop TB USA.
