infections
Tuberculosis (TB)
Screening Tests for Tuberculosis
Certain tests are done routinely for people who are at risk of tuberculosis. The tests include the Skin test for tuberculosis and the People at riskof tuberculosis include those who Live or work with people who have active tuberculosis (screening is done yearly) Have just emigrated from areas where tuberculosis is common Are starting to take a drug that may weaken the immune system and reactivate Latent infection if present (for example, corticosteroids and cancer chemotherapy) Have signs of possible tuberculosis on a chest x-ray done for another reason Have a weakened immune system (for example, because of HIV infection) Have certain disorders, such as diabetes, kidney disease, or head or neck cancer Are over age 70 Inject illegal drugs If results of a skin test or blood test are positive, people are evaluated by a doctor, and a chest x-ray is taken. If the chest x-ray is normal and people have no symptoms suggesting tuberculosis, they probably have Latent infection . People with latent tuberculosis are treated with antibiotics ( see 