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Welcome to the NEW Travel Klinix website, now known as Health Klinix.
Blood test to check for tuberculosis
You might need a TB blood test because you have symptoms of TB, or you might have been exposed to somebody with tuberculosis. Some people also need it because they are working or studying abroad and their visa medical examination requires a TB blood test. Healthcare workers are also often asked to have a Quantiferon test before they start work. To give you an even more accurate indication of tuberculosis infection, we can combine this with a chest x-ray at your request.
What's included in a TB blood test?
This is a simple test to check to see if you've been exposed to tuberculosis. Please note it doesn't differentiate if you have active tuberculosis or latent infection (inactive or sleeping TB). This test is also called an IGRA test (interferon gamma releasing assay) In this TB blood test we check to see how much your white blood cells produce interferon gamma in response to a TB antigen – this is the bit of the TB bacteria that your immune system responds to. The final result will be positive or negative .
Quantiferon blood test
We're a team of trained experts
Experts in Infectious Diseases, General and Travel Medicine
Over 21 years of experience in Travel Health
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Frequently asked questions
As you will only be attending for the blood test, it will be quick, just 10-15 minutes.
You don’t need to bring anything with you to this blood test, however we do recommend wearing something warm as it makes it easier for us to take your blood
This is a not fasting blood test which means you can eat and drink before you attend.
Our Quantiferon TB blood test result usually takes 3 - 4 working days.
All Quantiferon tests are reviewed by our doctors and shared with you through our secure online portal. If it’s positive, please do not worry as it often suggests inactive infection rather than active tuberculosis with symptoms. We'll ask you to contact your GP for further assessment but if it’s urgent then we’ll call you, so please make sure you give us a contact number when you book your appointment.
Authors:
Dr Ravi Gowda, Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine
MBBS, MRCP(UK), DTM&H, MRCGP, DCH, DRCOG, DFFP
Caitlin Lancaster, BSc