Testing & Diagnosis

Testing

There are two kinds of tests that are used to detect TB bacteria in the body: the TB skin test (TST) and TB blood tests. A positive TB skin test or TB blood test only tells that a person has been infected with TB bacteria. It does not tell whether the person has latent TB infection (LTBI) or has progressed to TB disease. Other tests, such as a chest x-ray and a sample of sputum, are needed to see whether the person has TB disease.

Diagnosis

If a person is found to be infected with TB bacteria, other tests are needed to see if the person has latent TB infection or TB disease.

Who Should Be Tested for TB

Testing for Tuberculosis Infection

Testing in BCG-Vaccinated Persons

Testing of Health Care Personnel

Testing During Pregnancy

Diagnosing Latent TB Infection & Disease