TB Testing

[LuckyTwo14 1]

A few observations: First the SLEC x-ray machine is more sensitive than the ones most doctors in the Philippines have, so they may say clean while SLEC says otherwise. If you fail you fail. Of course none of us want that, but there is simply nothing you can think, do or say to prevent a failed xray. The sterile milk does nothing, no matter how much you drink. Just go there and hope for the best. Most applicants pass the xray.

Xray as TB screening is a pretty dirty test, meaning it gives a lot of false positives. I had bronchitis last winter, which left enough scar tissue to cover the head of a pin. I would probably fail the xray test for that reason. But they do the xray test because it is fast and easy and clears most people in one day.

The real test is sputum, but that is nasty and takes 2 months for results, so you only get that one if xray does not clear you. This test does not lie. If this test is positive, you have TB. Bad news for your visa but very good news for your health that it was found. TB is fatal if left untreated. Nobody wants a six month delay in their visa to get treated for TB, but it is a vast improvement over dying. So if you have TB, try to not focus on the six month delay in getting to America. Think instead of how good it will be to stay alive long enough to enjoy your new life in America.

You will most likely be fine. Maybe you can get in to medical soon to get the results completed and then you'll know for sure.

Sputum test has numerous cases of false positives written in American medical journals such as the Journal of Clinical Microbology. It's not 100 percent (85% generally), but it is what SLEC uses to comply with the CDC's immigration instruction. Personally I'd rather my fiancée take the tablets here in America as 10's of thousands of people do every year.

Edited June 6, 2014 by LuckyTwo14

[SennaBrigante 92]

I also have a 2mo old daughter so me having TB would be disastrous.

[Al422 221]

But the fact remains that the State Dept won't let you in unless you are cleared by SLEC

[Greenbaum 12,259]

SennaBrigante, on 07 Jun 2014 - 02:07 AM, said:

I also have a 2mo old daughter so me having TB would be disastrous.

As a parent I would think that catching TB early and getting cured would be first on your list, as TB can kill. I'm sure your daughter would appreciate growing up with a mother.

So IMHO, it would behoove you to get checked out and if need be, follow the regiment that SLEC will lay out for you to be cured if TB is found.

If you don't take the medical exam at SLEC then you have given up on ever going to USA. As it was said, you must past your exam to be eligible for a visa.

[LuckyTwo14 1]

I also have a 2mo old daughter so me having TB would be disastrous.

You and your daughter are most likely fine.

There is the USCIS form I-601 that has 2 pages dedicated to gathering TB information that could result in a waiver to unquarentene from the PI and take the tablets in the USA. All USA towns or regions have a Health and Human Services office that can monitor the treatment similar to the SLEC's Direct Observation Treatment.

[SennaBrigante 92]

That would be ideal since my husband already put us in his insurance and we always pay out of pocket for medical stuff here.

But of course, the best situation for me is to not have TB so my daughter won't be at risk of catching anything. Her health is top priority.

[LuckyTwo14 1]

That would be ideal since my husband already put us in his insurance and we always pay out of pocket for medical stuff here.

But of course, the best situation for me is to not have TB so my daughter won't be at risk of catching anything. Her health is top priority.

The World Health Organization reports approximately 1 in every 385 Philippine citizens have TB. You should be fine, especially if nothing raises a flag at the X-ray machine.

[mumof2 0]

3 years ago, my 2 sons contacted primary complex and underwent 6mos+ medication. no follow-up xray was required by their pediatrician. up to now when I ask their doctor if they need xray she'd simply say nothing to worry, they're cured.

me on the other hand DID NOT get infected, xrays and sputum from local hospital showed negative.

during the MEDICAL EXAM ... if I will be asked if I contacted anybody that had TB... what will I answer?

if my children were asked if they had TB ... is primary complex considered a full blown TB?

in DS260 I answered NO when asked if my boys HAVE a communicable disease. my idea was, at this present time I believe they dont have it because they were cured accdg to doctor. Did I do the right thing?

[Al422 221]

Most people do fine with the TB test. Reading here gives one the impression that most people fail it, but that is not so. What happens is that the ones who fail it post about it here much more often than the ones who pass, so you read about the failures but not the successes.

Edited July 2, 2014 by Al422