Members of the public.
This is a blood test that can be used to help in the diagnosis of TB. It may be used in the diagnosis of active tuberculosis disease as well as the diagnosis of dormant (or latent) tuberculosis infection in the absence
Members of the public.
This is a blood test that can be used to help in the diagnosis of TB. It may be used in the diagnosis of active tuberculosis disease as well as the diagnosis of dormant (or latent) tuberculosis infection in the absence of active disease.
Latent TB is when a person has the bacteria (bugs) that cause TB in their body but they are not causing any disease or symptoms i.e. the bacteria are asleep or dormant. There is a chance that the bacteria may cause disease in the future.
Active TB is when the person has symptoms e.g. cough, night sweats, weight loss.
You may have been in contact with someone who has now been diagnosed with TB, or you may have lived in a country where there are high levels of TB. In some circumstances, the doctors looking after you think that there is a possibility that you have TB and that an IGRA test will help to find out.
The IGRA test is thought to be a more accurate test than the skin test and will help determine whether you have been infected with TB, and therefore may need treatment.
IGRA tests are new and expensive. The National Institute of Healthcare and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has looked at the accuracy and costs of these tests and recommended a two step approach: a skin test and then, if this is positive, an IGRA test.
A single specimen of blood.
This depends upon local arrangements. It could be your GP or practice nurse, a TB nurse specialist or a member of the local hospital service.
This varies. It will depend on the reason for which the test was taken, the urgency of the result and how frequently the testing laboratory carries out the test. You should check with your health carer.
This depends 