When would you get TB tests?

[sonrisa]

Background: DH's dad is in the hospital for brain, lung and lymph masses which are most likely caused by sarcoidosis. Or TB. Or lymphoma. Or a fungus like valley fever. Whatever it is, it is progressing quickly and he is deteriorating fast.

The infectious disease guy thinks it's TB, even though the skin and blood tests came back negative. He's still waiting on the full culture which takes 6 weeks. The neuro guy thinks it's sarcoid. If it is TB, we (DH, DD and I) should get tested. If I go now, they'll probably just do the skin test which was negative for him. If we wait for his culture to come back, we might be ignoring latent TB like he did.

If you were paranoid like me, do you get the initial skin tests now (knowing that whatever he has came back negative) or wait weeks for full culture results and then ask for a full culture?

[So_Fetch]

If it will make you feel better, you may as well go in and do the skin test. they aren't a big deal and I know my insurance doesn't even charge a co-pay.
We have to get them yearly at my job.

[MWOS]

I'd get the skin test now since your insurance will want you to do that first anyway, then proceed as more information becomes available

[sonrisa]

Jul 19, 2013 12:14:20 GMT -5 mofongo said:

I would ask the ID doc when you should test. Sorry:(

That makes so much sense.  Thanks.

[Deleted]

I'd get it whenever, sooner than later. It's such a quick and non-invasive (relatively) test. I have to get it every 3yrs for work.

[sonrisa]

Okay. I'll call in a request for us.

[Deleted]

I would do both. Skin test now, other tests later if his comes back positive.

[snipsnsnails]

Dang, can you do the skin and culture test now? Would insurance cover one, then consequently the other? Or would they only pay for the culture if there has been exposure (positive culture test for your FIL).

Sorry, sonrisa.

[snickers]

I would get it ASAP.
Sorry