Sputum Testing Information

[RA_PH1 5]

Hi All, 

 

I was wondering if some one can give me some information on sputum testing? Like how long this will delay the process?

 

My fiancé went to perform her medical recently and had been told she will need to come back next week for 3 days straight to provide a sputum sample for culture. They didn't really give her much details like how long it will take to get results back and what happens if it comes back for positive with TB. 

 

We were a bit taken aback at this finding, because my fiancé has regular medical checkups for work and that includes X-Rays. They never found any issues in those past medical examinations until she went to SLMCEC. They told her they found a small abnormality in her lungs during X-Ray and that's why she was referred for sputum testing. They told her the interview appointment she had with embassy was cancelled and she will need to reschedule after her medical is cleared. She will also need to come back to complete the medical and they will perform the vaccinations then. 

[Aluvaboy 67]

3 hours ago, RA_PH1 said:

Hi All, 

 

I was wondering if some one can give me some information on sputum testing? Like how long this will delay the process?

 

My fiancé went to perform her medical recently and had been told she will need to come back next week for 3 days straight to provide a sputum sample for culture. They didn't really give her much details like how long it will take to get results back and what happens if it comes back for positive with TB. 

 

We were a bit taken aback at this finding, because my fiancé has regular medical checkups for work and that includes X-Rays. They never found any issues in those past medical examinations until she went to SLMCEC. They told her they found a small abnormality in her lungs during X-Ray and that's why she was referred for sputum testing. They told her the interview appointment she had with embassy was cancelled and she will need to reschedule after her medical is cleared. She will also need to come back to complete the medical and they will perform the vaccinations then. 

If TB is confirmed through sputum testing, the treatment is somewhat long. The patient has to go through a procedure called “Directly Observed Therapy” where the patient is given the medication under supervision by an approved medical facility. A health care provider will give the necessary medications under watch and this has to be done every day until the regimen is over and the patient is TB free! It can add up to six months to complete this ordeal.

 

 

[RA_PH1 5]

14 minutes ago, Aluvaboy said:

If TB is confirmed through sputum testing, the treatment is somewhat long. The patient has to go through a procedure called “Directly Observed Therapy” where the patient is given the medication under supervision by an approved medical facility. A health care provider will give the necessary medications under watch and this has to be done every day until the regimen is over and the patient is TB free! It can add up to six months to complete this ordeal.

 

 

Thank you for the response!

 

Do you know if the directly observed therapy will have to be done at SLMCEC? My fiancé is not from Manila. 

 

I pray this won't happen....but just in case scenario. 

[Aluvaboy 67]

14 minutes ago, RA_PH1 said:

Thank you for the response!

 

Do you know if the directly observed therapy will have to be done at SLMCEC? My fiancé is not from Manila. 

 

I pray this won't happen....but just in case scenario. 

That is something that you have to confirm from the panel physician and the hospital where your fiancé got the medical checkup done. From what I have seen in most cases, the sputum tests turns negative and there shouldn’t be much delay other than rescheduling the interview. Good luck.

[RA_PH1 5]

Just now, Aluvaboy said:

That is something that you have to confirm from the panel physician and the hospital where your fiancé got the medical checkup done. From what I have seen in most cases, the sputum tests turns negative and there shouldn’t be much delay other than rescheduling the interview. Good luck.

 

Thank you I appreciate this info! I hope it turns out negative too! 

[IWander 589]

1 hour ago, RA_PH1 said:

 

Thank you I appreciate this info! I hope it turns out negative too! 

SLEC is the only approved medical facility.  If she goes through the therapy she can only have it done in Manila 

[W199 343]

6 hours ago, IWander said:

SLEC is the only approved medical facility.  If she goes through the therapy she can only have it done in Manila 

I am pretty sure there is an option to do the therapy with your local doctor, with SLEC's oversight and monitoring of said therapy. However, the process will take longer that way, and you'd be better off to just do it at SLEC>

[W199 343]

12 hours ago, RA_PH1 said:

Hi All, 

 

I was wondering if some one can give me some information on sputum testing? Like how long this will delay the process?

 

My fiancé went to perform her medical recently and had been told she will need to come back next week for 3 days straight to provide a sputum sample for culture. They didn't really give her much details like how long it will take to get results back and what happens if it comes back for positive with TB. 

 

We were a bit taken aback at this finding, because my fiancé has regular medical checkups for work and that includes X-Rays. They never found any issues in those past medical examinations until she went to SLMCEC. They told her they found a small abnormality in her lungs during X-Ray and that's why she was referred for sputum testing. They told her the interview appointment she had with embassy was cancelled and she will need to reschedule after her medical is cleared. She will also need to come back to complete the medical and they will perform the vaccinations then. 

Depending on her age, the probability of her sputum being positive is approximately from 0.4% to 2.4% if over age 50.  I wouldn't worry about it, almost certainly she will be negative.

 

However, you need to wait about 2 months for the results of the Sputum test!

[IWander 589]

9 minutes ago, W199 said:

I am pretty sure there is an option to do the therapy with your local doctor, with SLEC's oversight and monitoring of said therapy. However, the process will take longer that way, and you'd be better off to just do it at SLEC>

Yes, it adds another year to the process 

[RO_AH 1,659]

20 hours ago, W199 said:

Depending on her age, the probability of her sputum being positive is approximately from 0.4% to 2.4% if over age 50.  I wouldn't worry about it, almost certainly she will be negative.

 

However, you need to wait about 2 months for the results of the Sputum test!

Exactly correct! I think on my entire time on this forum I can recall maybe 2 that had to get treatment. Don't waste energy even thinking about it until you find out.

 

One more thing that you need to be aware of @RA_PH1 is that the 6 month validity of the visa started the first day of her medical. So this means you will now only have about 4 months after she completes sputum testing to get to America.

Edited November 20, 2023 by RO_AH

[RA_PH1 5]

7 hours ago, RO_AH said:

Exactly correct! I think on my entire time on this forum I can recall maybe 2 that had to get treatment. Don't waste energy even thinking about it until you find out.

 

One more thing that you need to be aware of @RA_PH1 is that the 6 month validity of the visa started the first day of her medical. So this means you will now only have about 4 months after she completes sputum testing to get to America.

 

Thank you for all your information on this! It definitely is a relief having g oth we t people say it is most likely negative. Though it sucks we will have to wait another 2 months for just the results. 

 

I guess in light of this....one positive perspective is that mean she may come in the spring instead of the winter. I live in the north and we get snow. So her first winter here will be brutal 🙃

[RO_AH 1,659]

3 hours ago, RA_PH1 said:

I guess in light of this....one positive perspective is that mean she may come in the spring instead of the winter. I live in the north and we get snow. So her first winter here will be brutal 🙃

Some things are blessings in disguise. Spring would definitely be a better time to have her come. Hard enough having to get used to a new place without adding ice and snow to it. She has probably never experienced anything below 65 degrees.

[Chancy 6,242]

On 11/19/2023 at 2:44 AM, RA_PH1 said:

They didn't really give her much details like how long it will take to get results back

 

On day 3 of sputum sample collection, SLEC staff will give your fiancee a paper with the exact date for the release of test results, which will be 8 weeks counting from sample collection.  Hope that your fiancee does not get a call from SLEC anytime before the release date.  In the unlikely event she gets a call from SLEC before then, that means she tested positive for TB and will need to undergo 6-month treatment.  So when it comes to sputum testing, no news is good news.

 

[top_secret 2,458]

I also agree with those who say it's a bit premature to start worrying to much about the possibility of a positive test result.  While it is theoretically possible,,,, I think it is also fair to say that a positive sputum test is unlikely.  For the vast majority it turns into an annoying and frustrating 2-3 month delay but nothing more.   Once she is actually told when her results date is, you could already go on ustraveldocs and start trying to schedule a new interview a few days after that.

[RA_PH1 5]

2 hours ago, top_secret said:

I also agree with those who say it's a bit premature to start worrying to much about the possibility of a positive test result.  While it is theoretically possible,,,, I think it is also fair to say that a positive sputum test is unlikely.  For the vast majority it turns into an annoying and frustrating 2-3 month delay but nothing more.   Once she is actually told when her results date is, you could already go on ustraveldocs and start trying to schedule a new interview a few days after that.

 

 

Thank you for the reassurance. She just went to give her sputum yesterday and she was like #200 and we went right when they opened at 6am too.