Tuberculosis testing
WHO needs to be tested:
Testing for tuberculosis for immigration medical exam is required for every applicant 2 years and older
WHEN : You will receive a test at the immigration medical exam . It is a blood tests (either QUANTIFERON or T-Spot) . This test needs to be ordered and reviewed by the USCIS designated Civil Surgeon .
The Laboratory results results are available in 2-7 days .
A normal result is a negative result.
A positive result is ABNORMAL.
DID I fail my exam if the Tuberculosis test is positive?
Not at all. This exam is not punitive by any means. The civil surgeon is not the one deciding the admissibility or inadmissibility in United States as Permanent Resident., but the Immigration officer does.
A Chest Xray is required to evaluate your risk for active disease. If the chest x ray is normal , you will be classified as LTBI ( Latent TB Infection - inactive) that means you are carrying the disease but you are not contagious. This will not affect your Immigration Process. If chest x ray is concerning for active tuberculosis, you will need to get a sputum test ( cough up phlegm in a cup) to make sure you are not having contagious disease. If this is the case ,you will be referred to the Health department for treatment of the disease, to ensure you are healthy and receive the appropriate treatment . Your Immigration medical application will be place on hold until the treatment is completed and you are no longer contagious.
What if I had tuberculosis in the past and I was treated?
Bring your treatment records if available to the immigration medical exam. You will still need to complete the blood test and chest x ray.
What if I had BCG vaccine in childhood ? would that turn the test result positive?
No, the Tuberculosis blood test only turns positive if you were exposed to the specific bacteria that causes TB in humans ( Mycobacterium tuberculosis) . the BCG vaccine is created using mycobacterium bovis, a different type of bacteria found in cattle.
A positive tuberculosis (TB) QuantiFERON test indicates past infection with TB bacteria. This blood test measures the body's immune response to TB antigens by detecting interferon-gamma, which is produced when the immune system reacts to TB bacteria. However, a positive result doesn't necessarily mean active TB disease; further evaluation is needed to determine if the infection is latent (present but not causing symptoms) or active (causing symptoms and potentially transmissible).
Why do some immigrants test positive for TB?
Immigrants are more likely to come from countries with high rates of TB, where the disease is more common and may be less well-controlled. As a result, immigrants can bring TB with them when they move to the United States.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), TB rates are higher among foreign-born individuals in the United States compared to those born in the country. Tuberculosis (TB) burden among immigrants in the United States is a significant public health concern.
A positive QuantiFERON test result typically requires further evaluation, including medical history, physical examination, chest X-ray, and possibly additional tests such as sputum samples, to determine whether the person has latent TB infection (the bacteria are present in the body but not causing symptoms) or active TB disease (the bacteria are actively causing symptoms and can be transmitted to others).
Latent TB infection
This situation will not affect your immigration process. ( LTBI)
We recommend treatment to ensure this is not evolving to active contagious disease.
Active tuberculosis
You will need to have additional testing - Sputum culture, and treatment , to ensure you return to health. Your immigration process may be delayed for few months.
Previous Treated tuberculosis
Bring your previous treatment records if available, you will still need to get tested for active tuberculosis.