Tuberculosis (TB)

The Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST) is one method of determining whether a person is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is generally spread by infected mucus droplets. Most people with tuberculosis show no symptoms at the time of infection.
The TST is performed by injecting 0.1 ml of tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) into the inner surface of the forearm. The skin test reaction should be read between 48 and 72 hours after administration by a health care worker trained to read TST results.
A patient who does not return within 72 hours will need to be rescheduled for another skin test.