How Often Do You Need a TB Test?

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Posted: Jun 20th, 2025 at 12:00AM - by Ashlee Arnold/Vice President

Tuberculosis is preventable and curable, yet 10 million people become infected each year, and 1.5 million people die. In fact, it's the world's top infectious killer. Getting a tuberculosis test, as needed, helps keep you and those around you healthy. In this blog, learn more about who should be receiving TB screening and how often, the different ways to test for TB disease, and what TB symptoms you should be on the lookout for.

Who is Most Susceptible to Tuberculosis?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the more prominent TB risk factors include:

• Having HIV.
• A recent infection (within the last two years) of M. tuberculosis.
• A history of untreated/improperly treated TB disease.
• Age (children younger than five years old).
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Injection drug use.
• Receiving immunosuppressive therapy.

There are also certain professionals who are at an increased risk of contracting a tuberculosis infection. According to OSHA, these include:

• Healthcare workers.
• Correctional facility workers.
• Zoo workers.

Yes, TB can spread from animals! More specifically, it's called bovine TB.

Your Testing Frequency Largely Depends on Your Occupation

So, how often do you need a TB test?

In most cases, TB testing is required upon being hired into a work environment where you're at an increased risk of being exposed to the TB bacteria. Annual TB testing is typically required only when there is documented exposure or ongoing transmission.

Outside of these individuals, a TB test is only necessary if you are experiencing TB symptoms, you've been in close proximity to someone with active TB disease (since it spreads through the air when an infected person speaks or coughs), or you experience any of the other risk factors we've discussed and are therefore more susceptible to developing active TB.

What Symptoms May Indicate I Should Get a Tuberculosis Test?

Aside from getting a tuberculosis test based on your work environment, you should also be aware of the most common symptoms.

If you have a latent TB infection, then you are not contagious and likely won't experience any symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, you should still see your provider so that it doesn't progress to active TB.

If you do develop active TB, you might experience a cough that lasts a few weeks or more, chest pain, fatigue, weakness, unexplained weight loss, decreased appetite, fever, or chills. You may also cough up blood or phlegm.

Should you experience any of these warning signs, it's imperative that you request a tuberculosis test as soon as possible.

What is a TB Test Like?

There are two types of tests: a TB skin test and a TB blood test. Both can determine if you've likely been exposed to bacteria that cause the disease, but they cannot determine if you have a latent TB infection or an active TB infection.

The Skin Test

A TB skin test requires two visits. At the first visit, your provider injects tuberculin under the surface of the skin on the lower part of your forearm. When you go back for the second visit in two to three days, they're going to determine if you've had a reaction by measuring the size of the bump at the injection site. This determines if you have a positive result or a negative result.

While the TB skin test is more common, especially for children, you might find the TB blood test to be more convenient and accurate.

The TB Blood Test

As an alternative, a TB blood test requires only one appointment. e7 Health offers the Quantiferon TB Gold test, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends in its current guidelines. Quantiferon is a type of Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) test that measures the cell-mediated responses to antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

What Happens If You Have a Positive TB Test?

If you receive a positive TB test result, then it means that you have TB germs in your body. However, once again, the test results won't show if it's an active or a latent TB infection.

For further information, you will need other testing, such as a chest x-ray or a sputum test. With a sputum test, a mucus sample from the lungs is tested to look for an infection. A chest x-ray can show changes in the lungs, which may be indicative of TB disease.

Most commonly, an active infection is treated with antibiotics for at least six months, according to the NHS.

How Effective is Treatment for Active TB Disease?

Treatment for a tuberculosis infection can be up to 95% effective. However, this hinges on the patient adhering to their treatment plans for their TB disease. Should the patient stop using all medications, use them incorrectly, or use them irregularly, treatment may be significantly less effective.

If you've been diagnosed with active tuberculosis disease, it's of utmost importance that you follow your provider's recommendation and finish your treatment in its entirety.

Schedule Your Tuberculosis Test Today

While a tuberculosis infection can be fatal, as we said earlier, it's preventable and treatable! However, it's crucial that you stay ahead of your health and keep your eyes open for symptoms or potential TB exposure.

e7 Health offers both the Quantierfon TB Gold test and chest x-rays, should you receive a positive TB test. Whether you need a tuberculosis test because you spent time around an infected individual or because you work in a healthcare setting, we can help. If you're in the Las Vegas area, book your appointment online today, or contact us with any questions or concerns.

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