Healthy Living and Fitness

Illness Care: Tuberculosis

Diagnosis

If your doctor suspects there is something wrong and that it is not just a cold, you may be referred to an outpatient department for people with lung diseases or to an X-ray department. The chest x-ray examination is the most important test. If changes in the lungs can be seen, a sample of sputum will be sent for microscopic examination and culture. Culture of tuberculosis bacteria will take 4-12 weeks. Because of this, it takes some time before an accurate diagnosis is possible.

Quicker methods using DNA techniques are under development, and a TB skin test is available. A small amount of testing fluid (called tuberculin) is injected just under the skin on the lower part of your arm. After 2 or 3 days, the health care worker will measure your reaction to the test. You may have a small bump where the tuberculin was injected. The health care worker will tell you if your reaction to the test is positive or negative.

 

Return to our main Healthy Living and Fitness page