Tuberculosis Diagnostic Tools

Tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic tools help identify if a person has TB, a serious infectious disease affecting the lungs. Key methods include the Tuberculin Skin Test, where a small amount of TB protein is injected under the skin to check for a reaction, and blood tests that measure the immune response to TB bacteria. Chest X-rays are used to look for lung damage. Sputum tests involve analyzing mucus from the lungs to detect TB bacteria. These tools help doctors determine the presence of TB so that appropriate treatment can begin.