Diagnosing active tuberculosis based only on signs and symptoms is difficult, as is diagnosing the disease in those who are immunosuppressed. A diagnosis of TB should, however, be considered in those with signs of lung disease or constitutional symptoms lasting longer than two weeks. A chest X-ray and multiple sputum cultures for acid-fast bacilli are typically part of the initial evaluation. Interferon-γ release assays and tuberculin skin tests are of little use in the developing world. IGRA have similar limitations in those with HIV. COUNT 5
QSN1 Is active TB difficult or easy to diagnose by patients' symptoms alone? ANS1 difficult QSN2 If a patient has some symptoms associated with TB, after what time period should tuberculosis be diagnostically considered? ANS2 two weeks QSN3 What part of the body would be X-rayed to check for TB? ANS3 chest QSN4 What sign of TB infection would a lab be looking for in a sputum culture? ANS4 acid-fast bacilli QSN5 Along with interferon-y release essays, what other tests aren't useful in TB diagnosis in developing countries? ANS5 tuberculin skin tests