Division of Student Affairs

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1. What is tuberculosis (TB)?

   It is a bacterial infection which usually affects the lungs.

2. How would I get TB?

   Tuberculosis is spread by breathing in the Mycobacterium Tuberculosis bacteria which has been coughed or sneezed out by someone with active Tuberculosis. This can happen anywhere. You may never know from whom you get the disease.

3. How would I know if I have TB?

   You may not know until you get a Tuberculin Test or until you feel sick.

4. What is a tuberculin test?

   It is a skin test placed on your left forearm. 48-72 hours after it is put on your arm, it is read by a health care provider. If you have a raised, reddened area on your arm, it indicates that the Mycobacterium Tuberculosis bacteria is in your body.

5. Who is required to get a tuberculin test?

   All students in Medical, Nursing, Dental, and Social Work schools and ALL NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS. These students all have a greater risk of being or having been exposed to Tuberculosis.

6. What does it mean if the test is negative?

   It means that you do not have the Mycobacterium Tuberculosis bacteria in your body at the time that the test was done.

7. What does it mean if the test is positive?

   At sometime in your life you have been exposed to the Mycobacterium Tuberculosis bacteria and it is in you body. IT DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT YOU HAVE OR CAN TRANSMIT THE DISEASE. It is an indication that further tests need to be done. It does not mean you will need to miss classes. You should not get another tuberculin test. Once you have a positive test, it usually remains positive for life.

8. What is BCG?

   BCG is a vaccine which has been widely used in many countries (not the United States) to provide immunity against Tuberculosis. It is usually given on the left shoulder or forearm. It is often given to babies and repeated at five to ten year intervals.

9. I had BCG, why do I need to be tested for TB?

   Studies have shown that the vaccine often is not effective in preventing TB infection. In countries where BCG is given, the most common cause of a positive TB test is NOT previous BCG vaccination but exposure to TB.