Book AFB Test

If you have current TB symptoms, you may need an AFB test. These are some of them:

• Cough that lasts for three weeks or more
• A common symptom is coughing up blood and/or sputum
• Pain in the chest
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Sweats at night
• Weight loss that isn’t explained

In addition to the lungs, active tuberculosis can produce symptoms in other regions of the body. Depending on which area of the body is affected, the symptoms will differ. If you have the following symptoms, you may need to be tested:

• Backache
• Urine with blood in it
• Headache
• Weakness and joint discomfort

If you have specific risk factors, you may need to be tested. If you do any of the following, you may be at an increased risk of contracting tuberculosis.

• Have had a close relationship with someone who has been diagnosed with tuberculosis
• If you have HIV or another condition that causes your immune system to deteriorate
• Live or work in an area where tuberculosis is prevalent. Homeless shelters, elderly institutions, and jails are among them.

The most common use of AFB tests is to diagnosis active tuberculosis (TB) infection. They may also be utilized to aid in the diagnosis of other AFB infections.

These are some of them:

• Leprosy, a once-feared disease that damages the nerves, eyes, and skin, is today a rare and readily curable condition. The skin becomes red and dry, and there is a lack of feeling.
• An infection related to tuberculosis primarily affects HIV/AIDS patients and those with weaker immune systems.
• People who have already been diagnosed with tuberculosis can also employ AFB testing. The tests can reveal whether the treatment is effective and whether the virus is still contagious.

An AFB Test requires no specific preparation.

You will be given a specific plastic cup to collect your sputum from your healthcare professional. As soon as you wake up in the morning, brush your teeth and rinse your mouth (before eating or drinking anything). Mouthwash should not be used.

The steps for collecting a sputum sample are as follows:

• Take a five-second deep inhale and hold it.
• Breathe out slowly.
• Take another deep inhale and cough vigorously until sputum appears in your mouth.
• Into a cup, spit the sputum. Close the cover of the cup tightly.
• The outside of the cup should be rinsed and dried. On the outside of the cup, write the date you gathered the sputum.
• As quickly as possible, take the sample to the location specified by your doctor.

Normal Range: Negative/No AFB Seen

There are no dangers associated with collecting a sputum sample.