TB Testing: What You Need to Know

At Reddy Urgent Care, your health and safety are our top priority. If your tuberculosis (TB) test result comes back positive, it means you have been exposed to the bacteria that cause tuberculosis. However, a positive result doesn’t necessarily indicate active TB disease; it often means you may have a latent TB infection, where the bacteria are present but not actively causing illness or spreading to others.

At our practice, once we identify a positive TB test, our experienced providers will guide you through the next steps promptly and carefully. These next steps typically include additional assessments such as a chest X-ray, a thorough physical examination, and a detailed review of your medical history. These evaluations help us determine whether your infection is latent or active. If active TB disease is suspected, further testing, such as sputum tests or other laboratory analyses, may be recommended.

Should active TB disease be diagnosed, our providers will initiate immediate treatment to protect your health, prevent serious complications, and reduce transmission to others. Treatment typically involves a prescribed regimen of multiple antibiotics taken consistently over several months. Our team will closely monitor your progress and support you throughout your treatment plan to ensure successful recovery and prevent antibiotic resistance.

If we diagnose latent TB infection, preventive treatment may still be advised, especially if you have a weakened immune system or other risk factors. Our medical professionals will guide you through a preventive regimen of antibiotics for a specified duration, with careful supervision and regular follow-ups at our clinic.

Typically, TB infection can be detected through testing several weeks after exposure. It usually takes about 2 to 8 weeks following initial exposure for your body’s immune system to create a detectable reaction on standard TB tests, such as the tuberculin skin test (TST) or the interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA).

Testing too soon after exposure may result in a negative outcome, even if you’re infected, as your immune system may not yet have generated a sufficient response. To address this, our healthcare providers often recommend an initial baseline test shortly after potential exposure, followed by a second test approximately 8 to 10 weeks later. This approach helps confirm whether an infection has occurred.

If you suspect recent exposure to tuberculosis or have concerns about TB infection, we encourage you to visit Reddy Urgent Care promptly. Our dedicated healthcare professionals will assess your unique circumstances, risk factors, and health status to determine the appropriate timing and type of testing for you, ensuring your peace of mind and overall well-being.

Most health insurance plans typically cover TB tests, particularly when these tests are medically necessary or recommended by one of our healthcare providers. Coverage usually extends to routine screenings, diagnostic tests, or follow-up tests after potential TB exposure.

However, it’s important to note that the details of coverage—such as whether your insurance covers a skin test or blood test, as well as associated costs—can vary depending on your specific insurance plan. Some plans may require pre-authorization or limit coverage to certain medical facilities or providers. Our staff at Reddy Urgent Care will gladly work with patients and their insurance companies to clarify coverage specifics.

We encourage our patients to contact their insurance provider directly to confirm if tuberculosis testing is covered under their individual policy. Be sure to inquire about potential out-of-pocket expenses like copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance.

For patients without insurance or whose insurance does not fully cover TB testing costs, Reddy Urgent Care can help connect you with local public health departments or community resources that offer affordable or free TB testing options. At Reddy Urgent Care, your health is our priority, and we’re here to assist you every step of the way.

After receiving a tuberculosis (TB) skin test at Reddy Urgent Care, it’s important to follow certain precautions to ensure accurate results and prevent complications:

• Avoid scratching, rubbing, or irritating the injection site. Doing so can cause redness or swelling unrelated to the test reaction.
• Do not apply creams, lotions, ointments, or adhesive bandages over the test site, as these products can interfere with the proper interpretation of your results.
• Keep the area clean and dry. Avoid prolonged exposure to water, such as soaking in bathtubs, hot tubs, or swimming pools, particularly soon after the test. Showering is generally acceptable, but gently pat the area dry afterward without vigorous rubbing.
• Wear comfortable clothing and avoid tightly fitted garments or accessories that may apply pressure or friction to the injection site, as this can alter the appearance and make it more difficult to accurately assess the results.

If you experience unusual symptoms, such as severe swelling, pain, significant discomfort, or signs of an allergic reaction, please contact Reddy Urgent Care immediately for guidance and assistance.

Remember to return to Reddy Urgent Care within the recommended timeframe (typically 48–72 hours) to have your TB skin test properly read and interpreted by our medical professionals.

Visit Reddy Urgent Care for a thorough evaluation if you’re experiencing symptoms of tuberculosis. For more information, contact us. We serve patients from Downtown Long Beach CA, Bixby Knolls Long Beach CA, Paramount CA, Lakewood CA, Rossmoor CA, Carson CA, Bellflower CA, Lynwood CA, Norwalk CA, and surrounding areas.