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Tuberculosis Message for International Students

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection that can cause serious medical complications.  It is more common in some countries than others.  It can also be difficult to treat, so there are public health processes in place to help reduce its possible spread. 

Prior to beginning work or classes at the University of Kentucky, you will be required to perform a TB Screening Questionnaire to determine your risk for having been exposed to TB in the past.  You may also be required to have a TB test for further evaluation.  We want to make this as easy and affordable as possible for you.

You can have the complete screening and any necessary testing at University Health Service after your arrival.  However, we understand that it may be more convenient and less expensive for you to do this at home.  The TB Screening Questionnaire is available online.  As long as the questionnaire and any required testing have been performed no more than 3 months before your arrival on campus, we can accept those results.

If you were born in or have spent greater than 30 days in any of the countries found in the link below, you will be required to have a TB test. 

 

Click here for a table of countries

 

TB Test Options

TB test options are provided below.  Either is acceptable.  You do not need to do both.

A. TB Skin Test

  1. The TB skin test must be administered and read by a designated, trained health care provider.  In Kentucky, a TB skin test must be performed by a physician (MD, DO, MBBS), advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), physician assistant (PA), registered nurse, pharmacist, or licensed practical nurse under the direction of a registered nurse.
  2. The TB skin test must be read by one of the above health professionals between 48 and 72 hours after it was administered.  If it is not read within that time frame, it must be repeated.
  3. Any reaction to the TB skin test must be measured and reported in millimeters (mm) of firm induration.
  4. The TB test result must be written in English.  It must also include your name and date of birth, the date the test was administered, the date it was read, the measurement of induration in millimeters, and the name and credentials of the person(s) administering and reading the test.  If all of this information is not clearly legible, we cannot accept the test.  Any test only reported as “positive” or “negative” will not be accepted.  We must have the measurement of any induration.
  5. You will be required to upload these results into the online TB Screening Questionnaire.

B. TB Blood Test

  1. A TB blood test is also available.  It is called an interferon – gamma release assay (IGRA).  Two common IGRA tests are the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus and the T-SPOT.TB Test.
  2. If you choose to do a TB blood test, you will be required to upload the lab results into the online TB Screening Questionnaire.  The uploaded test result should be a legible copy of the full report provided by the testing laboratory.

Please discuss the TB Test results with your personal medical provider or the person performing the test.  If the TB Test result is considered positive (abnormal), you must also get a chest x-ray as part of the evaluation.  You will be required to upload the results of the chest x-ray into the online TB Screening Questionnaire.  If you have questions about the results of your TB test and are trying to decide if you need a chest X-ray, you may also contact the Triage Nurse at the University of Kentucky Student Health Service to discuss.  The Triage Nurse may be reached by phone at (859) 323-4636 or UHSPIN@uky.edu

A chest x-ray must be performed as follows:

  1. 2 Views (PA and lateral)
  2. Interpreted by a radiologist
  3. X-ray report of findings written in English
  4. Report must include your name and date of birth, the date the X-ray was performed and interpreted, and a signature by the interpreting radiologist

Please feel free to reach out to the University of Kentucky Student Health Service Triage Nurse at (859) 323-4636 or UHSPIN@uky.edu if you have any questions regarding this process.

The University Health Service would like to welcome you to the University of Kentucky.  We hope your time with us is enjoyable and productive.  Our Student Health Service is here to promote your wellbeing.  Please let us know if we can help in any way.