The State of North Carolina has declared a shortage of TB skin tests.
If you are unfamiliar with tuberculosis (TB) it is a disease that is caused by a bacteria that primarily infects the lungs but can also affect other organs. When someone with untreated TB coughs or sneezes, the air is filled with droplets containing the bacteria.
A TB skin test can help to determine if you have TB bacteria in your body.
If you
- have contact with someone who has pulmonary or laryngeal tuberculosis
-are a person who has arrived from countries with medium or high tuberculosis rates (countries in Latin America, Asia, eastern Europe, or Africa)
-are a person suspected of having active TB you are at the priority of the list for getting a skin test.
Otherwise, if you are
- a part of a staff with direct inmate contact
-an inmate in the custody of the Department of Corrections
-a part of a staff of a licensed nursing care homes
-a resident at a licensed nursing home or adult care home
-or a staff member of an adult day care center providing care to persons with HIV/AIDS your required TB skin test has been deferred until the test is no longer in shortage.