BCG and testing for TB
I have had the BCG vaccination. Surely, I don’t need to worry about TB?
You can still develop active TB after you have had the BCG vaccination. This is because the vaccination offers limited protection for up to 15 years.
Testing for TB
If your GP suspects you have TB, they will send you for testing. If you do have TB, it’s best to know as soon as possible. Delaying treatment makes it more likely you may develop long-term health problems and could put people close to you at risk.
Types of TB test
There are a range of tests to show if you have TB, such as a sputum test, and x-rays.
Chest x-ray
A chest x-ray can show damage in your lungs, but you might need further tests to prove you have TB, such as sputum and culture tests or scans.
Testing sputum
A lab will use a microscope to look at any sputum (phlegm) that you cough up. If there are TB bacteria in your sputum, you have tuberculosis of the lungs or throat (pulmonary TB). This test also helps doctors to understand how infectious you may be.