I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for the TB Blood Test. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.
I love it when science makes our lives a little easier. I recently learned about the new tuberculosis (TB) blood test which is more accurate, less time consuming, and more objective than the TB skin test. If you have ever had a TB skin test, you know that it involves placing a small amount of TB protein (antigens) under the skin on your arm. After the antigens are placed, you then must wait to see if a red bump develops and return to the doctor for the results to be interpreted. I always found this test to be a little creepy. If I got the test, I would likely sit around looking at my arm and feeling pretty sure that a bump was forming.
With the new TB blood test, one blood draw gives you accurate results. With the 110 year old skin test, a doctor visually observes the test site on your arm to determine if you may have TB. That leaves the result open for individual subjectivity. The skin test also sometimes leads to false positives and always necessitates a second doctor visit for result readings. Families are so busy these days and fitting in a doctor’s visit can be very difficult. With the TB blood test, one visit is enough!
You might be asking yourself why this even matters to you. Chances are that you or someone you know may be required to undergo TB testing. Getting a TB test is a common requirement for those working in the healthcare industry, prisons, and for many in childcare and the education field. TB is a very serious disease and a real threat for many around the globe. Did you know that roughly 30% of the world’s population is infected with TB? Inactive tuberculosis can hide out in your system for weeks, months, or even years before it develops into active contagious TB.
The TB blood test is a good example of science improving our lives. One 3ml blood draw can now replace the time consuming and subjective TB skin test. That draw level is the same regardless of patient age or immune status. Additionally, previous TB vaccinations will not trigger a false positive with the blood test like they may with the TB skin test. Find out more information by visiting the TB Blood Test site.
I just love it when science makes it easier to protect my family. Don’t you?
About Janice
