Tuberculosis
While not recommended as a general screen, screening for tuberculosis (TB) is recommended based on known risk factors. In Australia the number of TB cases remains constant, about 1,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Those individuals at risk for developing tuberculosis include alcoholics, HIV-positive individuals, some recent immigrants and healthcare workers. Typically, infected people do not feel ill or have symptoms.
A tuberculin (Mantoux) skin test may be recommended if you are at risk of infection, have come in contact with a person infected with tuberculosis, in HIV-positive individuals and in some individuals receiving immunosuppressive therapy.
However testing for infection is of low priority for diagnosing disease. The skin test is mainly done to diagnose latent tuberculosis or for selecting people for the treatment of latent tuberculosis, and this is done through the TB health services.
