- A tuberculin Skin Test, sometimes called TST or PPD, is used to screen for infection. In a TST test, some dead tuberculosis is injected into the arm and a few days later a doctor checks to see if a hard knot has formed. If it has, the body has previously been exposed to tuberculosis.
- Tuberculosis is considered a public health risk. For this reason, in most states neither the employer nor the employee pays for the testing but instead funds come from worker compensation benefits. A small donation or co-pay may be requested but no one is denied service if they cannot pay.
- Some jobs, such as many in the medical care profession, require annual risk assessments of tuberculosis, and for employees to give a history of exposure. An employee may not be fired (or not hired) based on tuberculosis infection or exposure, but they may be put on a medical exclusion from work until they no longer pose a risk to others.
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