Getting to Know the Different Types of TB Tests

Various types of TB tests can be performed to confirm the diagnosis of tuberculosis. These various types of TB tests have different types of samples, methods of sampling, length of the analysis process, and different levels of accuracy. Get to know what types of TB tests are available and what the results mean.

Tuberculosis or TB is caused by a bacterial infection Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria that cause TB can be spread through splashes of phlegm or saliva when a TB patient coughs or sneezes.

Getting to Know the Different Types of TB Tests

Tuberculosis generally attacks the lungs or also known as pulmonary TB. However, in certain cases, this disease can also attack other organs or body tissues, such as lymph nodes, intestines, skin, membranes of the brain or nervous system, and bones. TB that attacks organs other than the lungs is called extrapulmonary TB.

The Importance of Recognizing Symptoms and Early Detection of TB

When exposed to TB, sufferers can experience various symptoms , such as coughing for more than 2 weeks, coughing up phlegm or blood, decreased appetite, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. Even so, these symptoms are sometimes similar to the symptoms of other diseases.

Therefore, to determine whether a person has TB or not, an examination by a doctor is needed. To diagnose TB, doctors can perform a physical examination and various types of TB tests.

The high risk of TB transmission generally comes from TB patients who do not receive treatment or do not complete treatment. However, with proper treatment, TB patients generally no longer transmit the disease.

This is the reason why it is important to detect or find TB cases and treat TB as early as possible.

Knowledge Different Types of TB Tests

The following are various types of TB tests that can be done to help diagnose tuberculosis:

1. The Mantoux tuberculin skin test

The Mantoux test is one of the most common types of TB tests performed in Indonesia. The purpose of this test is to determine whether a person is infected with the germs that cause TB or not, especially in children.

The Mantoux test is performed by doctors by injecting a fluid containing TB protein into the skin of the patient's forearm. Furthermore, the doctor will monitor whether there is a reaction at the injection site within 48–72 hours.

The Mantoux test result is negative if it does not cause a reaction in the form of a hard lump at the injection site or a small lump that appears (< 5mm). However, if a red bump or swelling appears at the injection site with a size of>10 mm, the test is positive.

Even so, a negative Mantoux test result is not necessarily a sign that a person does not have TB. Vice versa, a positive test result is not necessarily a sign that someone definitely has TB.

Sometimes, this TB test can show a false negative (false negative) or false positive (false positive). One of the factors that can cause false positive results is a history of BCG vaccine administration.

2. TB molecular rapid test (TCM TB)

This TB test is one of the types of tests recommended by WHO and the Indonesian Ministry of Health. This test is generally done to diagnose TB in people who have symptoms of active TB. TB TCM can also be done to assess whether TB bacteria are still sensitive or even resistant to the TB drug rifampicin. which is only about 2 hours.

Besides, TCM TB also has better accuracy than the Mantoux test. This test is also now widely available in various health facilities, including health centers.

To perform TB TCM, doctors or medical personnel need a sputum sample. However, if sputum samples are difficult to obtain, TB TCM may use gastric or stool swab samples. The sample will be collected and examined in the laboratory.

If a person has symptoms of active TB and a positive TB TCM result, this can be a determinant of the diagnosis of TB for doctors. Meanwhile, if the TB TCM result is negative, the doctor may suggest other TB tests, such as sputum analysis under a microscope.

3. Sputum analysis

Just like the rapid molecular TB test, this test is also commonly performed as a TB test in patients with symptoms of active TB or people who have a high risk of developing TB.

In this test, the sample used is phlegm or mucus from the lungs. In this examination, the patient will be asked to cough and place the sputum in a special container in the form of a sputum sample pot for analysis of TB germs.

The sample will then be examined in the laboratory under a microscope. The test result is said to be positive if M bacteria is found. tuberculosis in the sample.

4. The IGRA test

IGRAs or interferon gamma release assay is a TB test performed with a blood sample. Through this test, doctors can assess whether there is an antibody reaction formed in the patient's body against TB germs.

The IGRA test can be used to help diagnose latent TB disease, namely TB that is asymptomatic. However, this test is not used to diagnose cases of active TB.

The results of this TB test can be obtained within approximately 24-48 hours after the test is performed. However, this test is relatively expensive and is only available at certain health facilities.

In addition, the IGRA test also tends to be less accurate when carried out in groups living in TB endemic areas, including Indonesia. Therefore, this TB test is not recommended as a TB screening test and diagnosis of active TB.

5. Chest X-ray

A chest X-ray can be done to monitor the condition of lung tissue and airways in TB patients. When exposed to TB, the lung tissue will be damaged and this will appear in the form of white spots or patches on the X-ray image. In addition, the drawback of this test is that it cannot detect pulmonary TB at an early stage.

Those are the various types of TB tests that are commonly performed in Indonesia. In general, the diagnosis of TB needs to be done through a physical examination and supporting tests according to the doctor's recommendations. If the results of the TB test show that you are positive for TB, the doctor can provide treatment for at least 6 months. . This is important to do to prevent TB recurrence and reduce the risk of getting MDR TB.

Tuberculosis is a curable disease. Therefore, if you experience symptoms of TB, immediately consult a doctor. Later, the doctor will perform several types of TB tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the appropriate treatment.

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