Comments on: TB Testing in Guangzhou

By: 2chinagals

2chinagals — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 01:41:14 +0000

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

By: ratgirl

ratgirl — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:59:32 +0000

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.

By: Buster

Buster — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:20:47 +0000

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.

By: KarenInCa

KarenInCa — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:12:48 +0000

Out of the 90% of children testing positive, Im assuming they are only children 24 months or older being tested??

By: Emily's Mom

Emily's Mom — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:23:40 +0000

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.

By: RumorQueen

RumorQueen — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:57:48 +0000

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.

By: tearoses1

tearoses1 — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:47:47 +0000

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….

By: Emily's Mom

Emily's Mom — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:37:15 +0000

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?

By: Shellie

Shellie — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:21:26 +0000

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.

By: GrasshopperDreams

GrasshopperDreams — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:40:36 +0000

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