Tuberculosis Testing

Skin Test and Blood Test

TB skin tests are not available on March 17 and March 20, 2023 due to staff training.

There are two tests that can be used to help detect TB infection: a skin test or a blood test. TB Testing is available on a walk-in basis at the Olathe clinic. No appointment is needed for initial testing. During high volume times, we may need to temporarily suspend our walk-in services. 

Before TB testing, notify your healthcare worker if you have ever had a “positive” reaction to a TB skin test or if you have been treated with TB drugs in the past. The results of the TB blood test are not affected by a past history of receiving BCG.

State law requires that cases of TB be reported to the local or state health department. Disease Reportable by Kansas Law - (K.S.A. 65-118, 65-128, 65-6001 through 65-6007, K.A.R. 28-1/2, 28-1-18).

Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) and Reading

Cost: $46 (at time of administration). TB skin tests are not available on March 17 and March 20, 2023 due to staff training.

Olathe

  • Monday - 8 a.m.–3:45 p.m.
  • Tuesday - 8 a.m.–3:45 p.m.
  • Wednesday - 8 a.m.–11:45 a.m.
  • Thursday (NO TESTING, READINGS ONLY) - 8 a.m.–3:45 p.m.
  • Friday - 8 a.m.–11:45 a.m.

TB Blood Test (T-Spot) — Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA)

Cost: $150 per test

Olathe

  • Monday - 8 a.m.– 12 p.m.
  • Tuesday - 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
  • Wednesday - 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
  • Thursday - 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
  • Friday - 8 a.m.–12 p.m.

Tuberculosis Facts

  • The only way to contract the disease is by close contact (several hours a day) with someone who has the disease. It cannot be spread by contact with someone's clothing, drinking glass, eating utensils, handshake, toilet or other surfaces.
  • TB germs can live in the body without making a person sick. This is called latent TB infection. This means the TB germs are inactive (sleeping). The inactive germs cannot be passed to anyone else.
  • TB disease causes illness when TB germs are active (multiplying in the body). These germs usually attack the lungs. They can also attack other parts of the body, such as the kidney, brain or spine.
  • Symptoms of TB can include a cough of longer than three weeks, unexplained weight loss, night sweats, chills, fever and coughing up blood.
  • If you have been around someone who has TB disease, go to your doctor or your local health department for testing.
  • To diagnose TB disease, other tests such as chest x-ray and a sample of sputum (phlegm that is coughed up from deep in the lungs) may be needed.
  • TB Fact Sheet / La tuberculosis: Información general
  • Questions and Answers about TB
  • Latent Tuberculosis Infection: A Guide for Primary Health Care Providers