TB Testing in Guangzhou
I’m starting to hear reports of how the TB testing is going.
The reports say that around 90% of children are testing positive for the skin test, but then so far they have all tested negative on the chest x-ray. The chest x-ray cost is around $30 US.
Some families were told they could do the testing in province, only to find out that it had to be done by the medical center in GZ, and that the in province tests would not count.
If you have no idea what I’m talking about then you probably missed this post: http://chinaadopttalk.com/2009/06/02/tb-procedures/
July 9th, 2009 at 9:22 am
we weren’t tested in China, but were tested in the states. Of course my son had a false positive and is now on a nine month regime of antibiotics. I was very upset because his TB vaccine in China was completely ignored
July 9th, 2009 at 10:58 am
I’m praying for the CCAA to really think things through. Seriously, how can they expect anyone to stay in China 6 months? What a nightmare for anyone having to go through this. My heart goes out to families in this situation now and I really, really hope a different plan of action is devised. I mean, 6 months in China? How would you communicate with the locals? Where would you stay? What about our jobs? What about our families? What if you have little ones back home? Or even a pet? And, let’s not forget the most obvious… how can anyone afford this? As it is, IA is so expensive.
I was feeling so elated these days with a 3/22/06 LID, but now with yesterday’s news about the CCAA no longer accepting addenda (should anything be wrong with our children when we arrive), and today, this. It’s really so disheartening and I’m not sure which I am more of… angry or upset. I understand the medical precautions China has to take with TB… but couldn’t these children be tested before they’re referred to families so that if there is a child whose TB x-ray is positive they can be given the treatment they need before they are adopted? Sure, I know the issue would then be, “who will pay for the treatment?” but then charge us more (for the exam fees and meds) once we get to China. (and seriously, I think what we already pay for these children should more than cover this)
I truly don’t understand why things have to be so difficult and I worry that things will only get more difficult. I just want to bring our daughter home already and put this nightmare behind us. I know she will be worth the wait… but despite our adoptive parent friends telling us “we will forget about this all once we’re home with our baby”… well, I’m sorry… but I really don’t think anyone is capable of forgetting all of this new stuff that has come up in the last year. Maybe it was possible years ago to forget all of the painful waiting, but things have changed dramatically now. Adoptive parents have too many hoops to jump through these days. I’m really so upset and I worry about everyone else in line behind us. I wish there was someone we can go to for help… for support… to fight on our behalf.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:22 am
RQ,
Have you heard if this new hurdle has delayed travel home for anyone, when x-rays have been required?
July 9th, 2009 at 11:35 am
I wouldn’t mind if we had to redo the test in GZ. I’d rather have them do the test twice if it meant catching a positive x-ray result and having antibiotics started (if they actually would start them beforehand) so we wouldn’t have to be stuck in China X amount of time after gotcha.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Emily’s Mom,
It is not CCAA that will not take a faxed Addendum, it is the US Consulate that will not take a faxed Addendum.
Also it is the CDC that has established the TB testing requirements.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Are the parents obligated by CDC/USDIS/whoever to seek TB treatment once home for their children whose skin test was positive and xray negative?
Will these children’s US doctors require treatment?
Do these children have positive tests because of their BCG immunizations or because of the way the test is administered? Based on several RQ forum threads, I am surprised that the TB skin test positive result percentage is so high.
GhD
July 9th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Interesting that 90% of the kids are testing positive, and by that I mean I’m assuming they are having readings where the reaction site is measuring larger than 10mm (I think that is what they say is considered needing treatment and not just a sensitive reading). My daughter tested postive in the states and had 2 negative chest xrays (one our local hospital and one at the Children’s hospital a couple months after the first). She was seen by a Ped. Infectious Diseases specialist at a childrens’s hospital for treatment, well put on 9 months of antibiotics anyhow. I asked all kinds of questions about whether it was necessary, i.e. was it due to the fact she had been vaccinated for TB at 7 d/o and we all came to the conclusion that it was best to treat with the antibiotic rather than risk the consequences if she had really been exposed to TB in China. She was only 14 months old when she was tested. Her orphanage mate adopted at the same time did not test positive. although I think she had a small reaction (reading under 10mm). I’m wondering why they are only testing kids over 24 months of age. I need to read more about this. Maybe the way they test the kids will change if 90% of the kids test positive and very few or none have a positive chest xray. Perhaps there is a more reliable blood test that can be utilized instead of the skin test to tell if they were really exposed to TB or not. Just thinking.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Thanks for clarifying the details for me, WaitinginMT.
I’ve read a couple of times now that children 2 yrs. of age and older are the ones being tested for TB. Do you know if this is the case?
July 9th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
emily’s mom:
the thought of an unanticipated 6 months in china made my heart jump as well… but if it happens, i will work to view it as a gift! what a great chance to hunker down and learn the language and immerse onesself in the ebb and flow of my child’s country. i’m planning to take six months off from work for family leave anyway….it would be quite an unexpected, but not necessarily unwelcome, extended trip. my husband would just be flying to china much more than he had originally anticipated…we’d better join one of those frequent-flyer programs….
July 9th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Emily’s Mom – this has nothing to do with the CCAA, this is the American Government requiring this before they will give a child a Visa to get into the United States.
And yes, TB testing is being done on children 2 years and older. See the link in my blog post for more information about that.
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ottsinvt – so far the x-ray has not created a problem with travel for most people. The test is done the day people land in GZ and read two days later. If it is positive a chest x-ray is done right then.
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pcblanchette – medication has to be given for 6 months, and that is after the long term culture is done. Testing in province will in no way speed up the process, but it does create one extra hardship on the child’s immune system. I would not do the test in province and then again in GZ.
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GrasshopperDreams – AFAIK, at this point that is between you and your doctor, but I have not heard anything saying one way or the other, so I’m not 100% positive on that.
July 9th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
RQ…thank you for clarifying.
tearoses… I admire your positive attitude. while I’ve been trying to be as positive as possible throughout all of this, an unexpected, mandatory 6 month stay — though clearly a one of a kind experience, and a gift as you say — would be very difficult for my husband or I. not to mention, we couldn’t afford it… (and I’m sure I’m not the only one here). i can take 3 months off of work — unpaid — but more than that, and I would my job.
glad you can take the time and not have to worry about work, finances, etc. you’re in a win-win situation no matter how you look at it.
July 9th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Out of the 90% of children testing positive, Im assuming they are only children 24 months or older being tested??
July 9th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
We have been home with our son for about two years. For some reason, I can’t remember why, our pediatrician gave our son a TB test shortly after we were back, or maybe it was a few months after we were back. I can’t remember exactly when it was. Regardless of when the TB test was administered, it came back positive. Then we did the chest xray to confirm. It was negative.
She the doctor examined his shot record from China. She said that one of the shots that had been administered to him in China (I can’t recall which one), will ALWAYS make the TB test come out positive for him for the rest of his life.
July 10th, 2009 at 8:59 am
There is a better blood test, called Quantiferon Gold, which is not affected by prior BCG. The skin test is affected. I work for a major research hospital, and I discussed this with the nurse who does our annual TB tests. She was horrified to hear that anyone still uses skin tests on people who have had the BCG. At my hospital, the policy is to use the more precise blood test on anyone who tests positive on the skin test and has (or is likely to have had) the BCG.
July 10th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
My duaghter was vaccinated for TB in China..therefor she will always test positve for TB..I am sure this is the case for some there.They used to do this in Canada aswell. My husband born in Quebec also was vaccinated as a young child and he will always test positive too…Check the vaccine records…..hope this helps