Urogenital tuberculosis — epidemiology, pathogenesis and clinical features

Skin TB Testing To Begin Across Dist Hospitals From Next Month

Ranchi: Skin TB testing is all set to start at the govt hospitals across the district from next month for detecting tuberculosis infections quickly and efficiently. According to experts, the new testing method is a simple, painless, and comfortable procedure that involves a small injection under the skin.Results will be available within 48 to 72 hours, making it a quick and efficient solution for diagnosing TB. If the induration (swelling) exceeds 5 mm, the patient will be considered TB-infected and prescribed TPT (tuberculosis preventive treatment) medicine. If the reaction is smaller, the patient will be tested again after two months.Earlier, TB detection relied mainly on the "balgam test" (sputum test), which required collecting phlegm samples from the lungs and testing them for TB. The skin TB test involves injecting a small amount of tuberculin (PPD) under the skin on the forearm and checking for a reaction (swelling) after 48-72 hours. A positive result indicates a possible TB infection, allowing for early intervention and treatment.Civil surgeon Prabhat Kumar stated, "The state govt has allocated 240 vials for skin TB testing, aiming to improve TB diagnosis efficiency. This initiative is expected to improve TB detection and treatment, ensuring faster detection and timely care, which will ultimately save lives and enhance healthcare outcomes in the district. The skin test is more reliable."According to officials, TB eradication efforts in the district have been making steady progress. In 2024, the district aimed to treat 7,700 TB patients, of which 1,689 received care. In 2025, the target increased to 8,138 TB patients, with 1,386 cases already identified this year.Health workers, including sahiyas, have been conducting door-to-door screenings, covering 43,642 people so far. Among them, 525 potential TB cases were detected.Additionally, as part of the BCG vaccination programme, 22,568 people were immunised last year to prevent TB infections. Moreover, TB elimination efforts, with 13 panchayats including Tundaulli, Ormanjhi Khas, Ichadag, Pancha, Banta Hazam, Kuchu, Angara, Sursu, Jawahar, Tunju, Gabhreya, Kanchi, and Raladih being declared TB-free.

Does Medicare Cover A PPD Test?

If you have experienced tuberculosis (TB) exposure or have symptoms, Medicare may cover a purified protein derivative (PPD) test. If you don't have symptoms and haven't experienced TB exposure, Medicare may class this as a screening, which it doesn't cover.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2023, 10.8 million people worldwide became unwell with TB.

Although TB is contagious, it's relatively rare in the United States, and if you develop the condition, you may not show symptoms.

Doctors and healthcare professionals can perform a PPD skin test to test for TB. Medicare Part B may cover eligible costs if your healthcare team decides to perform this test to help diagnose TB following symptoms.

The Part B deductible is $257 in 2025, and once you pay this amount, you need to pay a 20% coinsurance for eligible services. However, Medicare may also cover the costs in full for some diagnostic lab tests.

If you have Original Medicare (parts A and B), you can contact Medicare directly to confirm whether you can receive coverage for a PPD test for your specific circumstances.

Private insurers provide Medicare Advantage plans, and you can contact your plan provider to confirm coverage.

During the first visit for this test, you receive the injection. Healthcare professionals then schedule another visit for you around 2 to 3 days later, in which a doctor or another healthcare professional usually examines your skin for any reaction to the tuberculin.

Sometimes, your healthcare team may recommend a blood test to diagnose TB. This recommendation may be helpful because if you have received the TB vaccine, the PPD can sometimes return a false-positive result.

Skin TB Testing To Begin Across Dist Hospitals From Next Month

Updated On Mar 26, 2025 at 04:01 PM IST

Read by: 100 Industry Professionals

Ranchi: Skin TB testing is all set to start at the govt hospitals across the district from next month for detecting tuberculosis infections quickly and efficiently. According to experts, the new testing method is a simple, painless, and comfortable procedure that involves a small injection under the skin.

Results will be available within 48 to 72 hours, making it a quick and efficient solution for diagnosing TB. If the induration (swelling) exceeds 5 mm, the patient will be considered TB-infected and prescribed TPT (tuberculosis preventive treatment) medicine. If the reaction is smaller, the patient will be tested again after two months.

Earlier, TB detection relied mainly on the "balgam test" (sputum test), which required collecting phlegm samples from the lungs and testing them for TB. The skin TB test involves injecting a small amount of tuberculin (PPD) under the skin on the forearm and checking for a reaction (swelling) after 48-72 hours. A positive result indicates a possible TB infection, allowing for early intervention and treatment.

Civil surgeon Prabhat Kumar stated, "The state govt has allocated 240 vials for skin TB testing, aiming to improve TB diagnosis efficiency. This initiative is expected to improve TB detection and treatment, ensuring faster detection and timely care, which will ultimately save lives and enhance healthcare outcomes in the district. The skin test is more reliable."

According to officials, TB eradication efforts in the district have been making steady progress. In 2024, the district aimed to treat 7,700 TB patients, of which 1,689 received care. In 2025, the target increased to 8,138 TB patients, with 1,386 cases already identified this year.

Health workers, including sahiyas, have been conducting door-to-door screenings, covering 43,642 people so far. Among them, 525 potential TB cases were detected.

Additionally, as part of the BCG vaccination programme, 22,568 people were immunised last year to prevent TB infections. Moreover, TB elimination efforts, with 13 panchayats including Tundaulli, Ormanjhi Khas, Ichadag, Pancha, Banta Hazam, Kuchu, Angara, Sursu, Jawahar, Tunju, Gabhreya, Kanchi, and Raladih being declared TB-free.

Published On Mar 26, 2025 at 03:56 PM IST

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