If you have been identified as having been in contact

with someone diagnosed with Tuberculosis, you may

be requested to have a further tuberculin test known
as ‘Break of Contact’ at a later date. This test is done
to check if there is any increase in the size of the
tuberculin test reaction from the first test.

Further Information? English

For further information, please contact this clinic on
the phone number below or see Specialised Health
Services Fact Sheets 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6.

Office/Clinic
Specialised Health Services Building
24-28 Cornwall Street
Annerley QLD 4103

Postal
Locked Bag 66
Coorparoo D.C. QLD 4151

Phone +61 7 3896 3963

Fax +61 7 3896 3984

Website www.health.qld.gov.au/phs/shs

09/02
What is TB?
TB is a bacterial infection that can affect almost any
part of the body but is most common in the lungs -
a form called pulmonary tuberculosis.
For further information, please refer to Specialised
Health Services Fact Sheet 1 - “Tuberculosis - the
disease”
How is TB discovered?
Among the several investigations used to diagnose
TB is the Tuberculin skin test (also known as
Mantoux test). This test is primarily used to
determine exposure to infection, not to determine
the presence or absence of active TB disease.
Sometimes having repeat tests at various intervals is
necessary to determine exposure to infection. The
Tuberculin test is free of charge through Specialised
Health Services or the Regional TB Control Units
located in Rockhampton, Toowoomba, Townsville and
Cairns.
A chest x-ray is important for those people who
come in contact with a person with tuberculosis and
is necessary to help exclude the presence of TB. It
may also be necessary to have follow-up chest x-rays
at intervals following close contact with a person
with active TB. If any doubt is raised by what is
shown on the x-ray other tests, such as sputum
tests, may be necessary to determine for certain
whether or not the person has active disease.
The Tuberculin Test (Mantoux Test) is used
1. To detect dormant infection in a person who may
have been exposed (through proximity) to a
person diagnosed with tuberculosis;
2. Prior to BCG vaccination;
3. As an aide to detect active TB disease.
Therefore, the Tuberculin test may be administered
to:
• persons who may have been in ‘contact’ with a
person diagnosed as suffering from tuberculosis
• persons from high TB risk groups
• migrants from countries where tuberculosis is
common
• occupationally at risk persons eg; health care
professionals
• persons travelling to a country where
tuberculosis is common.
Tuberculin is a purified protein derived from the TB
germ (but contains no active TB germs). The
tuberculin test is given with a new, disposable
needle and syringe. A very small amount of the
substance is injected into the top layer of the skin
on the inside of the left forearm. A small blister will
appear but will usually disappear within the first 30
minutes. Occasionally, the site may bleed a little and
the nurse may cover it with a cotton wool swab. This
can be removed after 5-10 minutes and discarded.
Do not apply creams or bandaids to the site and
avoid scratching the site. Personal hygiene as
normal.
* You should report to your doctor or the Nurse who
gave the injection, any problems including rash,
shortness of breath etc. that you encounter after
receiving the test.
If you answer “Yes” to any of the following questions,
or if you are unsure, please discuss with the Nurse
before you give consent for your Tuberculin Test.
1. Are you currently being treated for tuberculosis?
2. Have you ever had tuberculosis?
3. Have you had a previous tuberculin (Mantoux)
test? Where? When? Result?
4. Have you had a viral illness in the past week?
5. Have you received any live viral vaccines within
the last four weeks eg; Measles, Mumps and
Rubella, Yellow Fever or Chicken Pox vaccine,
Typhoid tablets, or Sabin?
6. Are you currently taking antibiotics?
7. Do you have any immuno-suppressing illness eg:
HIV, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease?
8. Are you taking any oral or injectable steroid
medications eg; Prednisone or Cortisone?
9. Are you receiving immune-suppressing treatment
eg; Radium or anti-cancer therapy?
10. Do you have sarcoidosis?
11. Do you have any allergies?
After the Test has been given, What Next?
After removing the cotton wool approximately 10mins
after the injection has been given, there should not
usually be any reason to cover the site. If for any
reason a cover is deemed necessary, use light gauze;
do not use bandaids or creams.
Note: You will need to return in 2-3 days (minimum of
48 hours) for the injection site to be examined.
You may see a reddened area at the site of the
injection, sometimes it may be slightly blistered and
you may experience some pain, or there may not be
any reaction at all.
The nurse will advise you of your result and give you
documentation for your records.
If your tuberculin test is negative, you may be
advised to
1. have a repeat test in 1-2 weeks, or
2. have a BCG vaccination only if indicated, or
3. have no further follow-up
If your injection site shows a reaction, you may be
advised
1. that no further follow-up is needed
2. to avoid further tuberculin tests
3. to see a medical officer at the Chest Clinic or
your local doctor if preferred.