$Unique_ID{BRK00132}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Should Older People Be Tested for TB?}
$Subject{tuberculosis aging age aged Infection Infections Older old TB
tuberculin skin testing elderly}
$Volume{A-5,T-5}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Should Older People Be Tested for TB?


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QUESTION:  I'm tired with doctors and all their poking about and testing
everything they can get their hands on.  At my age I don't need any more of
it.  Is it important for older persons to be tested for TB?

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ANSWER:  There are two schools of thought about tuberculin skin testing in the
elderly.
     One says that a great majority of those who test positively later in life
show no clinical evidence of the disease and that some who actually have the
disease do not show a positive result from the test.
     Nevertheless, many experts believe that, with proper interpretation, the
test can be extremely useful in the elderly.  This appears especially true
because of the large numbers of TB in the elderly and its potential for
spreading in nursing homes and elsewhere.
     A recent study revealed that on admission to nursing homes, between 15
and 20 percent of the residents showed a significant reaction to tuberculin
tests and clinical tuberculosis developed in two to three percent of those.
     Another study in Arkansas showed that TB is four times higher among
nursing home residents than in the elderly living at home; four out of five
elderly TB patients live at home; and the incidence of TB in the latter is
three times greater than in middle-aged people because most of the infections
in the older people are not new but old ones that reactivated as their bodies'
abilities to fight diseases weakened.  Why not humor your physician?  I think
he's concerned about your welfare.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.