Confirming a tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis involves a combination of factors, including medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests.
- Symptoms: A doctor will inquire about symptoms like persistent cough (lasting more than 3 weeks), coughing up blood or mucus, fever, chills, night sweats, weight loss, fatigue, loss of appetite, and chest pain.
- Physical Examination: The doctor will listen to the patient's lungs for abnormal sounds, examine the lymph nodes in the neck for swelling, and assess for other signs of illness.
- Diagnostic Tests:
- Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) or Mantoux Test: This test involves injecting a small amount of tuberculin under the skin. A raised, hard bump (induration) indicates exposure to TB bacteria, but it doesn't necessarily mean active TB disease.
- Interferon Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs): These blood tests, like QuantiFERON®-TB Gold, detect TB-specific immune responses in the blood. A positive result indicates exposure to TB.
- Chest X-ray: This imaging test helps to visualize the lungs and identify abnormalities like lung lesions or inflammation that could be consistent with TB.
- Sputum Culture: This test involves collecting and analyzing a sample of mucus coughed up from the lungs. If TB bacteria are present, they can be grown in a lab, confirming the diagnosis.
- Other Tests: Depending on the individual's symptoms and risk factors, additional tests may be performed, such as blood tests, urine tests, or biopsies.
It's important to note that a positive TB test doesn't automatically mean active TB disease. Further testing and evaluation are needed to determine the extent of infection and appropriate treatment.
If you have symptoms of TB or have tested positive for TB, seek medical attention immediately.
