Why two step tb

A positive TST may gradually wane over the years. The first skin test may be negative in persons whose TB exposure was many years ago. The two-step TST provides an accurate baseline for individuals who will have future serial testing. The two-step protocol needs to be performed once only if properly performed and documented. It never needs to be repeated. The individual should be medically evaluated with a chest x-ray and symptom review. Skip to main content. Toggle navigation.

Main Page Content What is a two-step test? Why a two-step test? When should a two-step test be done? If the TST was done in the past 12 months, only a one-step test is required.

Tuberculosis TB screening and testing of health care personnel is recommended as part of a TB Infection Control Plan and might be required by state regulations. For TB regulations in your area, please contact your state or local TB control program. TB screening programs should include anyone working or volunteering in healthcare settings, including:.

All U. The local health department should be notified immediately if TB disease is suspected. Annual TB testing of health care personnel is not recommended unless there is a known exposure or ongoing transmission. Shorter treatment regimens, including once-weekly isoniazid and rifapentine for 3 months and daily rifampin for 4 months, should be used as they are more likely to be completed when compared to the traditional regimens of 6 or 9 months of isoniazid.

These recommendations update the health care personnel screening and testing section of the CDC Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Health-Care Settings.

TB screening is a process that includes:. Information from the baseline individual TB risk assessment pdf icon should be used to interpret the results of a TB blood test or TB skin test given upon hire i. Health care personnel with a positive TB test result should receive a symptom evaluation and a chest x-ray to rule out TB disease. Additional workup may be needed based on those results.

Health care personnel with a documented history of a prior positive TB test should receive a baseline individual TB risk assessment and TB symptom screen upon hire i.

A repeat TB test e. Annual TB testing of health care personnel is not recommended unless there is a known exposure or ongoing transmission at a healthcare facility. Health care personnel with untreated latent TB infection should receive an annual TB symptom screen. Symptoms for TB disease include any of the following: a cough lasting longer than three weeks, unexplained weight loss, night sweats or a fever, and loss of appetite. Healthcare facilities might consider using annual TB screening for certain groups at increased occupational risk for TB exposure e.

Facilities should work with their state and local health departments to help make these decisions. All health care personnel should receive TB education annually. TB education should include information on TB risk factors, the signs and symptoms of TB disease, and TB infection control policies and procedures. All health care personnel with a known exposure to TB disease should receive a TB symptom screen and timely testing, if indicated.