i was asked to take sputum test and again che...

Canada Immigration Forum (discussion group)


 
       
Subject: i was asked to take sputum test and again che...
i was asked to take sputum test and again chest x-ray, what can i expect next, any one in this same situation, please tell me what next?
[03-10-2007,12:37]
[***.114.211.143]
prob
(in reply to: i was asked to take sputum test and again che...)
The doctor suspected you may have TB. Do you have family history of TB? Were you infected with TB in the past or any of your contacts? Did the doc do any other skin test?

TB is a contageous disease but treatable. The next step depends on the results.

[03-10-2007,12:55]
[**.109.31.225]
SutarB
(in reply to: i was asked to take sputum test and again che...)
we dont have any past history, they did skin test also, they told that the virus is there, but non active. what next?
[03-10-2007,13:12]
[***.114.40.32]
prob
(in reply to: i was asked to take sputum test and again che...)
Sutar is correct.

I just wanted to add that there are 2 forms of TB - active and inactive. About a third of the world has inactive and doesn´t know it. Inactive usually remains dormant and only 10% then become active later in life.

I have a feeling Canada tests immigrants from 3rd world countries with the skin test. Applicants from the U.S. are not tested since active TB is rare there.

If the chest xray shows something unusual in addition to positive skin test, then active is suspected. The skin test is not always reliable. A blood test called Quanteferon Gold is definitive to determine presence of TB, active or inactive. The only way to know if active is by chest xray and any other physical symptoms.

It looks to me that they want to determine if the TB is active. The question is if inactive, what are their policies?

[03-10-2007,13:27]
[**.47.168.204]
Richard
(in reply to: i was asked to take sputum test and again che...)
what i need to know is, if inactive, what are their policies?
[03-10-2007,13:44]
[***.114.211.143]
prob
(in reply to: i was asked to take sputum test and again che...)
To rule out active TB (bacterial disease) you have been asked to undergo further tests. If your test results are fine you will be put under surveillance which means once you land in Canada, you will have to report to public health authority in your province within 30 days.

If your test results show presence of active TB then they may reject your application or ask you to undergo medical examination again after satisfactory treatment.

You mentioned your skin test came out positive. Why did you undergo TB skin test?

A lot of people who were administered BCG vaccine come up with positive skin test. If your X_ray showed no old scars then most probably you do not have even inactive TB though immigration treats it as a case of inactive TB.

[03-10-2007,14:21]
[***.21.154.114]
Samm
(in reply to: i was asked to take sputum test and again che...)
Results showed no active TB, then can i expect Positive from canada immigration?
[03-10-2007,15:22]
[***.114.40.32]
prob
(in reply to: i was asked to take sputum test and again che...)
Yep.
[03-10-2007,15:33]
[***.21.154.112]
Samm
(in reply to: i was asked to take sputum test and again che...)
Thanks Samm
[03-10-2007,16:08]
[***.114.40.31]
prob
(in reply to: i was asked to take sputum test and again che...)
Richard:
You said "I have a feeling Canada tests immigrants from 3rd world countries with the skin test. Applicants from the U.S. are not tested since active TB is rare there.

If the chest xray shows something unusual in addition to positive skin test, then active is suspected. The skin test is not always reliable. A blood test called Quanteferon Gold is definitive to determine presence of TB, active or inactive. The only way to know if active is by chest xray and any other physical symptoms."

I am not at all critical as you did your best. However, it just happened that I have some knowledge and ineterst in this subject.
TB has been found in mummies of the ancient pharaons. TB is the most complex subject and most difficult bacteria to understand. Every individual who arrive to canada from anywhere is screened for TB somehow, somewhere. TB is not only confined to the third and poor countries although their population are mostly exposed. TB is now universal due to the fast travel and HIV. I am sure you have heard of the flight horror where some canadians were travelling and involved in contact with the American lawyer who has been infected with active but drug resistant TB. This is a scientific fact and has nothing to do with any sensitivity of race, colour or naive things like that.
The Quatiferon Gold blood test is NOT actually to determine or to confirm anything but just to add and help in the guessing game. Firm diagnosis of TB is far complicated issue. The only Gold standard diagnosis is when you find the bacteria in the sputum, you see it, you culture it. sadly even this sputum visualizing culturing one is only no more than 50%. So combination of tests, x-rays, history, clinical signs and family history make the good guessing.
Hope this help.

[03-10-2007,20:50]
[**.109.55.48]
SutarB
(in reply to: i was asked to take sputum test and again che...)
Many thanks Sutar for the very informative update on TB. My information was from my county health department, which is responsible for identifying and treating all residents here with active or inactive TB.

The county here insists that their Quanteferon Gold is definitive, especially if the skin test is questionable or if prior BCG vaccination might have been used. Their view is if Quenteferon Gold shows positive infection, then a subsequent chest xray determines if the active or inactive form.

I suppose each medical organization must determine its own procedures and diagnosis based, as you say, on the difficult identification of TB.

You are completely correct that TB now affects people worldwide due to air travel and easy crossing of borders.

[03-10-2007,22:20]
[**.47.168.204]
Richard