Sputum Test is so confusing!

[H0pe 0]

Hello VJ members! I'm new here and need to vent, share and hear about your experience with Sputum. Our little girl had her medical appointment at SLEC yesterday. Her recent (a week old) medical records (positive skin test, negative X-ray) from another clinic were presented to St. Luke's which they claim they do not accept since it was not conducted by St. Luke's. Yet, they honored the positive skin test and stated that our daughter needs to undergo 6 months of medication. And what's really confusing is they also required a 3-day Sputum test which will be done this week after they repeatedly said she needs to undergo tb treatment based on the said skin test from another clinic. Why wouldn't they conduct their own skin test if they refuse to honor medical exams from another clinic? And why would she need to take Sputum test if they already said she needs to undergo a 6-month treatment? Or better yet, why would they say she needs to undergo a treatment when they haven't even performed the Sputum test yet? Can anyone enlighten me on this? It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch!

[apple21 953]

Your daughter will have to do the Sputum test first.

You'll know the exact length of treatment when the Sputum test is concluded.

Good luck.

[H0pe 0]

Your daughter will have to do the Sputum test first.

You'll know the exact length of treatment when the Sputum test is concluded.

Good luck.

Thank you, Apple21! that's exactly what i thought. Somehow, SLEC gave us conflicting statements We shall see what happens! I'm putting my faith in God!

[charlesandmerle 4]

Hello VJ members! I'm new here and need to vent, share and hear about your experience with Sputum. Our little girl had her medical appointment at SLEC yesterday. Her recent (a week old) medical records (positive skin test, negative X-ray) from another clinic were presented to St. Luke's which they claim they do not accept since it was not conducted by St. Luke's. Yet, they honored the positive skin test and stated that our daughter needs to undergo 6 months of medication. And what's really confusing is they also required a 3-day Sputum test which will be done this week after they repeatedly said she needs to undergo tb treatment based on the said skin test from another clinic. Why wouldn't they conduct their own skin test if they refuse to honor medical exams from another clinic? And why would she need to take Sputum test if they already said she needs to undergo a 6-month treatment? Or better yet, why would they say she needs to undergo a treatment when they haven't even performed the Sputum test yet? Can anyone enlighten me on this? It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch!

a sputum test will show if she has active TB, if so she can spread the TB to other people.

[H0pe 0]

a sputum test will show if she has active TB, if so she can spread the TB to other people.

Thanks, Charlesandmerle! I get that part.. just didn't understand why they would require a 6-month treatment without knowing the outcome of the Sputum test as it hasn't been done yet. Thank you all!

[TatTot 7]

tuberculin skin test is not a confirmatory test for TB, it aids in diagnosing the patient with PTB. The positive result of your daughter's skin test may mean she have some bacteria (mycobacterium tuberculosis) lying dormant in her body or it may be your child has been exposed to people with TB. they're requesting a 3-day sputum test cause that's how they can confirm it. also the treatment is not only for those who are positive in TB. those who are positive in PPD (skin test) but has negative X-ray result may or may not be given treatment, but they usually give treatment to decrease the chances of the bacteria present to convert into an active TB. and yes, it is usually taken 6-9 months.

Why wouldn't they conduct their own skin test if they refuse to honor medical exams from another clinic?

Hospitals have different policies and procedures. There are some that they will do their own testing so as to confirm the previous test done, some hospitals don't.

Hope this helps! Good luck to you and your little one! God bless!

[Hank_ 9,174]

The reason they won't accept the other hospital's xray is because they need the xray in their computer to include the CD with the medical records for the embassy, St. Luke's has to follow the rules designated by USEM.