TUBERCULOSIS (TB) SCREENING
Antituberculosis drugs are not contraindicated in pregnancy.
PPD or tine test: This screening skin test determines previous exposure to
TB. TB screening is not done routinely and performed only on high-risk
populations. A negative test means no further follow-up is necessary. A
positive test is induration, not erythema.
Chest x-ray: If the screening skin test is positive, a chest x-ray is performed
to rule out active disease. If the chest x-ray is negative, isoniazid (INH) (and
vitamin B6) is given for 9 months. If the chest x-ray is positive, induced
sputum is cultured and triple medications begun until cultures define the
organisms involved.