Medical Exam

[Laura+Tom 2]

Say you tried drugs once when you were young. I think the general feeling is, if there is no proof you have taken drugs in the past, any convictions or anything, don't mention it at the medical.

[BermyCat 1]

The TB skin test is well known to give a lot of false positives so a positive skin test is always followed up by a chest x-ray. So if you are one of those that tends to get false positives, don't worry.

~ Catherine

[Laura+Tom 2]

The TB skin test is well known to give a lot of false positives so a positive skin test is always followed up by a chest x-ray. So if you are one of those that tends to get false positives, don't worry.

~ Catherine

Yes this is sometimes down to if you have been given the TB vaccination sometime in your life.

[edmon59 0]

The TB skin test is well known to give a lot of false positives so a positive skin test is always followed up by a chest x-ray. So if you are one of those that tends to get false positives, don't worry.

~ Catherine

Yes this is sometimes down to if you have been given the TB vaccination sometime in your life.

My wife and I just completed her Medical exam in Puerto Rico about an hour ago. She was given the TB skin test, if she is positive she gets the x-ray, if not, then nothing. They test for syphilis, ghonnorea, HIV, Leprosy and some other stuff. Since my wife has no vaccination records she will be given a bunch of vaccinations.

What they are looking for is made really clear in the instruction portion of the I-693 med exam form. And yeah...."Drugs? No, never!"

FWIW, they are also supposed to check to see if you are mentally imbalanced and pose a risk to others....our doctor didn't ask any questions at all......

-Ed

[Laura+Tom 2]

The TB skin test is well known to give a lot of false positives so a positive skin test is always followed up by a chest x-ray. So if you are one of those that tends to get false positives, don't worry.

~ Catherine

Yes this is sometimes down to if you have been given the TB vaccination sometime in your life.

My wife and I just completed her Medical exam in Puerto Rico about an hour ago. She was given the TB skin test, if she is positive she gets the x-ray, if not, then nothing. They test for syphilis, ghonnorea, HIV, Leprosy and some other stuff. Since my wife has no vaccination records she will be given a bunch of vaccinations.

What they are looking for is made really clear in the instruction portion of the I-693 med exam form. And yeah...."Drugs? No, never!"

FWIW, they are also supposed to check to see if you are mentally imbalanced and pose a risk to others....our doctor didn't ask any questions at all......

-Ed

Good to know.

When it comes to seeing if you are mentally imbalanced etc they just ask general questions or light conversation. The probably test for this the whole of the exam whithout you really knowing.

[*Giuly and Rocky* 0]

The TB skin test is well known to give a lot of false positives so a positive skin test is always followed up by a chest x-ray. So if you are one of those that tends to get false positives, don't worry.

~ Catherine

Yes this is sometimes down to if you have been given the TB vaccination sometime in your life.

My wife and I just completed her Medical exam in Puerto Rico about an hour ago. She was given the TB skin test, if she is positive she gets the x-ray, if not, then nothing. They test for syphilis, ghonnorea, HIV, Leprosy and some other stuff. Since my wife has no vaccination records she will be given a bunch of vaccinations.

What they are looking for is made really clear in the instruction portion of the I-693 med exam form. And yeah...."Drugs? No, never!"

FWIW, they are also supposed to check to see if you are mentally imbalanced and pose a risk to others....our doctor didn't ask any questions at all......

-Ed

wow!! You guys are almost done! I hope they'll give you your Visa soon! Well, I just checked my medical paperwork and I have one from 1996 where it said that I got negative to the second TB test ( a more specific one )...basicly I would be positive to the skin test (as I've always been) but negative to the rest... I will take that paper with me just in case...it won't hurt!

[charramal 0]

well...I have a question now...I know i'll be positive to the TB skin test...my dad is, my brother is...I guess is genetic but I never have problems about it, I remember when I was little they used to do thsi test at school so, since I was positive they also made me Xray chest but everything was fine...so...what is going to happened when I'll be positive at the medical exam? Are they going to deny me? OOr just make me further tests? Thank you!

if you are positive for TB they will ask u to cure yourself before you go to the next step.

And i read that it is annoying because u will need to go back and forth to the clinic for checkups.

TB treatment will take about 3 months

[charramal 0]

Hey everyone- this is probably a really dumb question... but for the K1 medical exam blood tests, what do they all test and look for? My fiance is scared about his medical exam and I'm just trying to convince him that he'll be fine. I would just like to calm his nerves a little bit. Thanks!

Caity

If he used drugs and that what he is afraid about then do not tell his doctor about it coz they will not know. Blood Test is to know if he has HIV that he might transmit when he come here.

[Benika 1]

Remember - the doctor is acting as an agent for the Immigration department - EVERYTHING you say to the doctor can be used against you in your visa application - not just medical stuff. The doctor is working for Immigration, not for you, so you do not have patient-doctor privilege. They will not share any of your information with outside parties, but the doctor is able and required to share everything you say to him with the Immigration department. Including if he thinks this is not a legitimate relationship. Be friendly to the doctor, dont lie to the doctor, but dont share anything with the doctor that you do not want Immigration to know about.

Beni

[caityrose 0]

Hey everyone- this is probably a really dumb question... but for the K1 medical exam blood tests, what do they all test and look for? My fiance is scared about his medical exam and I'm just trying to convince him that he'll be fine. I would just like to calm his nerves a little bit. Thanks!

Caity

If he used drugs and that what he is afraid about then do not tell his doctor about it coz they will not know. Blood Test is to know if he has HIV that he might transmit when he come here.

Nah- he's never even tried drugs, so he's not worried about that. He's just a bit paranoid and figures they'll find something else wrong with him that's life threatening. He has no reason to, he's just that way. Special.

[*Giuly and Rocky* 0]

well...I have a question now...I know i'll be positive to the TB skin test...my dad is, my brother is...I guess is genetic but I never have problems about it, I remember when I was little they used to do thsi test at school so, since I was positive they also made me Xray chest but everything was fine...so...what is going to happened when I'll be positive at the medical exam? Are they going to deny me? OOr just make me further tests? Thank you!

if you are positive for TB they will ask u to cure yourself before you go to the next step.

And i read that it is annoying because u will need to go back and forth to the clinic for checkups.

TB treatment will take about 3 months

What? Is this going to happenen no matter what?

[maliciant 7]

I think that's only if you have something show up on the x-ray. I've seen posts by people here where they had a scar or some other sign of tb in their lungs and had to wait a few weeks to verify that it was stable/unchanging. The three month thing is only if you actually have TB, not just for a positive skin test but actual TB, someone who has had tb in the past probably can expect a delay because often something shows up on the chest x-ray and they have to take another x-ray after a certain amount of time to compare (this is just what I understand from reading here, I am not a TB expert).

[*Giuly and Rocky* 0]

I think that's only if you have something show up on the x-ray. I've seen posts by people here where they had a scar or some other sign of tb in their lungs and had to wait a few weeks to verify that it was stable/unchanging. The three month thing is only if you actually have TB, not just for a positive skin test but actual TB, someone who has had tb in the past probably can expect a delay because often something shows up on the chest x-ray and they have to take another x-ray after a certain amount of time to compare (this is just what I understand from reading here, I am not a TB expert).

FWIW...thats make me feel a little better...!!!! Lets hope we all be done soon!!

[Carlawarla 1]

A few things...

TB: Yes, I'm sure they would compare your chest x-rays to your TB skin test. If you have active TB though, you are going to be required to have a sputum test, and if that's postive, then you'll be required to have a course of treatment before you get your visa. Because the skin test is a recent thing, those of you that don't or didn't get it in your home country, will find out that it is a requirement of your AOS, so be forewarned, you will have it.

Drugs: This is a dilemma for some. Firstly, you're asking at the medical if you've EVER used drugs. This has nothing to do with your criminal record, because the Dr. doesn't have a copy of your record. If you answer yes, it will be marked down on your medical, after disclosing how recent. Drug use will get you a denial of your visa. Period. Do you lie? You are never to lie to anyone during this process. If it's ever found out you lied, you're going to be in serious trouble and not only will your visa be denied, you'll be banned for life for ever entering the US.

I've seen here on VJ, you might want to google drug use and visa's, where someone disclosed teen usage of marijuana at the medical. They were required to get a certificate and/or letter from a therapist, drug counsellor etc. where they completed treatment to attest to the fact that they were "rehabilitated". THEN they were allowed to get their visa. Rehabilitated means...having taken a course/program, and a professional attesting to that.

As well I want to mention that it's against the TOS, to tell anyone to avoid telling the truth during the immigration process. As a far as the comment that everyone has used in their past, that is not true. While I'm sure a lot of people have, many have not as well.

Mental Health: Again, if it's disclosed during your medical that you've seen a professional in the past regarding your mental health, perhaps depression, you were suicidal etc. then you could be referred for a psychological/psychiatric referral. A few people have had scars on their wrists, from again...something in their youth. They were referred for an assessment, and then were given a letter to take to the Embassy/Consulate. It doesn't preclude you from getting a visa, they just want to have it checked out.

Hope this helps.

Edited October 22, 2008 by Carlawarla

[*Giuly and Rocky* 0]

A few things...

TB: Yes, I'm sure they would compare your chest x-rays to your TB skin test. If you have active TB though, you are going to be required to have a sputum test, and if that's postive, then you'll be required to have a course of treatment before you get your visa. Because the skin test is a recent thing, those of you that don't or didn't get it in your home country, will find out that it is a requirement of your AOS, so be forewarned, you will have it.

Drugs: This is a dilemma for some. Firstly, you're asking at the medical if you've EVER used drugs. This has nothing to do with your criminal record, because the Dr. doesn't have a copy of your record. If you answer yes, it will be marked down on your medical, after disclosing how recent. Drug use will get you a denial of your visa. Period. Do you lie? You are never to lie to anyone during this process. If it's ever found out you lied, you're going to be in serious trouble and not only will your visa be denied, you'll be banned for life for ever entering the US.

I've seen here on VJ, you might want to google drug use and visa's, where someone disclosed teen usage of marijuana at the medical. They were required to get a certificate and/or letter from a therapist, drug counsellor etc. where they completed treatment to attest to the fact that they were "rehabilitated". THEN they were allowed to get their visa. Rehabilitated means...having taken a course/program, and a professional attesting to that.

As well I want to mention that it's against the TOS, to tell anyone to avoid telling the truth during the immigration process. As a far as the comment that everyone has used in their past, that is not true. While I'm sure a lot of people have, many have not as well.

Mental Health: Again, if it's disclosed during your medical that you've seen a professional in the past regarding your mental health, perhaps depression, you were suicidal etc. then you could be referred for a psychological/psychiatric referral. A few people have had scars on their wrists, from again...something in their youth. They were referred for an assessment, and then were given a letter to take to the Embassy/Consulate. It doesn't preclude you from getting a visa, they just want to have it checked out.

Hope this helps.

I never said everyone had used it in their past...I said a lot of teens try it...at least here in Italy...I don't know about your contry but here its a reality. Most of them try drugs and alchool before they even turn 13...I didn't said I think its good for people to use drugs and more than anything I dind't advice anybody to lie about it.