Personal Health Division

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: Latent TB infection and TB Disease.

TB testing does not determine whether a person has latent infection or TB disease. If the TB skin test (TST) is positive the person is found to be infected with TB, other tests are needed to see if the person has latent TB infection or TB disease.

Certain people should be tested for TB infection because they are at higher risk for being infected with TB bacteria, including:

• People who have spent time with someone who has TB disease
• People from a country where TB disease is common (most countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Russia)
• People who live or work in high-risk settings (for example: correctional facilities, long-term care facilities or nursing homes, and homeless shelters)
• Health-care workers who care for patients at increased risk for TB disease
• Infants, children and adolescents exposed to adults who are at increased risk for latent tuberculosis infection or TB disease

We provide the Mantoux TB skin test to check for tuberculosis infection.

TB testing and reading is located at the Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services by appointment only.

You must come back to our office 2 to 3 days after your TB skin test to have it read by a nurse. If you are unable to return within 3 days during our open hours, the test will be invalid. You will have to pay again to be retested.

The cost of a TB skin test is payable by cash, check or credit. Medicaid covers this test as well as many other insurances, so please be sure to present your card. We bill many insurances and will provide a receipt for you to submit if we do not participate with your insurance. If the test is being paid for by an employer or other entity, please bring a letter from them.

Your employer or licenser will determine how often you need TB testing.

A positive TB skin test result means you have been exposed to the TB germ. Further evaluation is needed.

If you have insurance, you will need to follow up with your health care provider.

If you are an uninsured Kalamazoo County resident with a new positive TB test result, you may qualify for our monthly TB Clinic. Assessment through the KCHCS TB Clinic is by appointment and is free-of-charge.