Is a tuberculosis (TB) test required for college admission?
Tuberculosis is an airborne infectious disease that can spread in places where people live close together, like colleges and universities. As a result, many colleges will require incoming students and employees to undergo TB screening. A TB questionnaire helps to identify students who are at risk for TB infection or have signs or symptoms of TB disease. Some colleges and universities may also require TB testing for students who are at increased risk or for all incoming students.
Why is TB screening important for college students?
Early detection and treatment of TB protects at-risk students and helps prevent TB from spreading on campuses. TB screening is not only important for foreign-born students, but also for those who have lived or spent time in countries with higher rates of TB or who have other risk factors for TB infection or disease.
Why is the TB blood test (IGRA) preferred over the skin test (TST)?
The American College Health Association (ACHA) states that a TB blood test (IGRA) is preferred over a tuberculin skin test (TST) in most situations relevant to college health (2). The US CDC, WHO and ECDC all prefer IGRAs over the TST for those who are BCG-vaccinated – a group commonly including migrants and foreign-born individuals (3–5). TB blood tests, like QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus, are objective tests that are more accurate than the skin test and require just one visit to the doctor.
