What Is the Definitive Way to Know You Have TB?

Tuberculosis, commonly known as TB, is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Mycobacterium can attack any part of the body and may be fatal if left untreated. TB is spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks. If you breathe in the bacteria, you can become infected. TB symptoms include weight loss, fever, loss of appetite and fatigue. A thorough medical examination is required in order to correctly diagnose TB.

Instructions

• 1

  Get a TB skin test. You will receive an injection containing a small amount of tuberculin in the lower part of your arm. A reaction on your skin within 48 to 72 hours will confirm that you have been infected with the TB bacteria. This only means you have the bacteria within your body, not necessarily that you have the disease. Further testing is required to confirm that you have the TB disease.

• 2

  Get a blood test. A special blood test is required to confirm a diagnosis of TB. One of the best blood tests on the market is the QuantiFeron TB Gold test. This test measures your white blood cell count when it is mixed with tuberculosis antigens. A positive result means that you are infected with the TB disease.

• 3

  Get a chest x-ray. Abnormal lesions on the chest may point to a possible TB infection.