Your technician will inject a small amount of (PPD) tuberculin purified protein derivative under the surface of your skin on either your right or left forearm.  You will be required to sign a consent form before the testing begins.  You will need to return in 48-72 hours for us to look at the injection site for any reactions to the PPD.  For a detailed overview of your testing and TB in general, visit the Center for Disease and Control Website. 

Patients should immediately report any adverse events caused by the injection such as vesiculation, ulceration or necrosis which may occur at the test site in highly sensitive individuals.  Patients should also be aware that pain and discomfort may occur at the injection site.  Patients who have had adverse side effects to past PPD testing should let their doctor know before taking another PPD skin test. 

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before receiving a TB skin test.  There is a greater risk to a pregnant woman and her baby if TB disease is not diagnosed and treated.

It is important to know that some PPD testing brands have not been tested in pregnancy trials and cannot guarantee the product will not have adverse effects on your baby.  Paramex uses APLISOL purified protein derivative for its TB skin testing and reccommends by the BRAND to only give to a pregnant woman if clearly needed. 

- TB skin testing is considered both valid and safe throughout pregnancy by the CDC. TB blood tests also are safe to use during pregnancy, but have not been evaluated for diagnosing TB infection in pregnant women. . Other tests are needed to show if a person has TB disease.  

           -  Center for Disease and Control

If a TB skin test shows a positive reaction—or if you have had a positive TB skin test in the past—a chest X-ray is often the next step in the evaluation process. The X-ray helps healthcare providers determine whether there are any signs of active tuberculosis in the lungs. According to the CDC, additional testing such as a chest radiograph is commonly performed after a positive TB screening test to help rule out active TB disease.

For your convenience, Paramex partners with Enloe Medical Center on Bruce Road in Chico, California, where chest X-rays can be completed when they are needed as part of TB screening or follow-up evaluation. Chest X-rays are also commonly used for individuals who have previously tested positive for TB so that repeat skin testing is not required.

If you are pregnant, be sure to inform your healthcare provider before any imaging test. In many cases, medical providers can still perform chest X-rays safely using protective shielding when clinically necessary.