CP and +ve TB Test -----
vanchita said:
Folks,
My docs are in the consulate right now and i am expecting a jan/feb interview schedule. We went in for a regular health check up and the doc came up with a positive skin test/x ray for TB for my husband. The doc wants to proceed with some more tests and put him on TB medications.. I am now worried about how this will affect the gc processing? If he comes on TB medications how will it affect the medicals ?? Can some one help please..
vanchita
ok, some clarifications for u:
1. Many people may test +ve for TB skin test. It does not mean they have Active TB. This just means they have been exposed to the bug that causes TB.
2. After this, the doctor will do a chest x-ray and a physical exam to decide if one has/has not Active TB.
3. If someone has Active TB, he/she will need treatment with 3 or 4 drugs for 6-9 months.
4. If only Skin test is +ve (latent TB infection), then US recommendations are to treat with 1 drug for 9 months. However, one may refuse this treatment (the doc will ask you to sign a refusal form). The risk (of not being treated for latent TB infection) is that if your immune system goes down due to any reason, you may get Active TB, and thus posing risk of infecting others.
5. Just having a +ve TB skin test should not have any effect on your CP interview.
6. It is the active TB that really needs treatment and would make one temporarily inadmissible on "medical grounds of inadmissibility". Once you have been treated for Active TB, you are not longer infective to others and eligible for admission to US.
See the medical requirements:
http://uscis.gov/graphics/medical_exam.htm
to quote from this webpage:
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What are “medical grounds of inadmissibility”?
“Medical grounds of inadmissibility” is a term used when an applicant has a health condition which is a public health concern to the United States. Under the U.S. immigration laws, the medical grounds of inadmissibility are divided into four categories:
* communicable disease of public health significance;
* lack of required vaccinations (for immigrant visa applicants only);
* physical or mental disorders with harmful behavior; and
* drug abuse/drug addiction.
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if you want further info on this TB test and treatment business .... read this:
http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=4004
or better still, for a lay person, read this >>>
http://patients.uptodate.com/topic.asp?file=inf_immu/6545