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.
Tuberculosis testing isn’t usually at the front of our minds as parents. We worry about broken bones, stranger danger and whether our kids are eating enough vegetables. As far as illnesses go, colds and the flu is at the forefront, especially as we move into fall. Maybe we should be thinking a bit more about TB, considering one-third of the world’s population is infected with it.
Photo courtesy of TB Blood Test
I lived in Japan for two years, so TB was a huge concern for me. TB is a significantly higher threat over there than it is in the US. Although Japan managed to get the rates down significantly after WWII, while I was there they still faced a 34.8 per 100,000 rate, compared to a 6.4 per 100K in the US. That meant I was nearly six times more likely to contract TB while living there. I was a Navy wife, and the military took that seriously. I was tested before they “sponsored” me to live there. We were also supposed to be tested before we left, but we slipped through the cracks. I had to wait until we had insurance again to get tested on my own back in the states.
I’ve also been tested multiple times for jobs, as well as for nursing school. All the tests I’ve had involved the skin prick. I almost missed my great-grandmother’s funeral because it fell during the time I had to get one of my tests “read.” Thankfully, since my aunt was an EMT & an MA at the time (she’s now an RN), the doctor gave permission for her to read it.
When I was in nursing school, one of my friends tested positive for TB. It was a false positive, but it didn’t matter. After that, she had to go back several times to prove she was clear. I also had a friend in nursing school who came over from the Philippines. She had a vaccine in the past and it caused her to test positive. Then she had to have other tests done to prove that she wasn’t infectious. The skin prick test was standard for 110 years. It’s faulty at best, downright ineffective at worst. No more. Now we have a TB blood test!
The TB Blood Test: A More Accurate Way to Test for Tuberculosis
The TB Blood Test is a major scientific improvement over the old way of testing for tuberculosis, and the ONLY way to test with completely objective results. The skin test is open to interpretation. If you happen to end up with a pimple over the test site, it could be read as positive. It’s just not reliable.
It’s also a pain in the butt! Not only do you have to schedule that first appointment, but then you have to carve time out of your incredibly busy schedule within a set amount of time later to drive ALL THE WAY back to your doctor so they can “read” it. Not to mention the fact that it always made my skin itchy. Plus it hurt me. I don’t care what they say, it hurt me. I’d much rather have a professional phlebotomists do a quick 3ml draw. They know how to draw blood while causing the least possible amount of pain.
The TB Blood test is the most accurate test for TB infection. There is no cross reaction with the TB vaccine. One visit, one blood draw, results go from the lab to your doctor to you.
Learn more about the TB Blood Test and how it works, then schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss if it is necessary for you or your children.
Have you ever had a TB skin prick test? Did you have any problems with negative reactions or results? Tell me about it in the comments
I had no idea this disease was still a thing. I thought it was long gone back in the 1920’s
Every time I visit anyone in the hospital or the nursing home, I am afraid that TB or other illnesses will become my worst nightmare. Having this new blood testing option would put my mind at ease.
It is great that TB tests are becoming so much more efficient and easy to deal with. As a teacher, I know how important TB tests are to keep the community safe.
I remember how it used to take so much time to get tested for TB. Now we have blood testing and it’s more convenient.
The new TB test sounds so much better. Those older tests had such a reputation for being a pain!
I need to be tested for TB every so often because of work, but I think it’s important for everyone to get checked.
I don’t think I’ve ever had a TB skin prick test before. That’s definitely an illness I don’t want to have!
I had getting blood drawn, but they do give great result. I think this one could help a lot.
This is the first time I heard of this. I think blood testing is the most accurate test for any disease.
It’s so great that they are coming up with such tests that give accurate results in just ONE visit. I think it’s times like this when I appreciate technology making so many lives easier.
I had a positive skin test many years ago. When I went to nursing school, they gave me a blood test which I thought was much better.
Either way, I have a fear of needles but I would love to just have the test and results all in one day.
It’s crazy to think that this old disease is still around and people suffer from it!
I remember taking a TB test when I was little. I think it was a poke test if I remember correctly. I’m glad that there is a great test for it though.
Such an important test! Especially here in Asia. I wish the techology will reach us here soon.
I didn’t realize that it was an issues still. Def. good to get the right test.
I had no idea TB was still a concern. I am glad there is a blood test that can be so accurate.
TB is serious, thanks for sharing more information about an important issue that some people obviously don’t know still exists!