RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TUBERCULOSIS SCREENING OF PROGRAMS UNDER THE 


SUPERVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES* 


 


Programs that provide care for periods less than 24 hours per day. 


 


A.  EMPLOYEES 


 


Employees should be screened for tuberculosis within 90 


days prior to but no later than 'two weeks after employment.  


The screening examination should include a tuberculin 


test** and if it is positive, a chest X-ray and, if necessary, 


other specific tests.  Prospective or current employees who 


are known to have a positive tuberculin reaction or who 


refuse to have a tuberculin skin test shall receive a chest X-


ray to rule out infectious tuberculosis.  If infectious 


tuberculosis is ruled out, no further screening is necessary 


during their employment unless persistent pulmonary 


symptoms develop or there is contact with tuberculosis.  


 


B.  CHILDREN 





                1.  Foreign-born 


 


All foreign-born children should present evidence of a 


tuberculin skin test*** performed in the United States.  This 


test performed in the United States may have been done at 


any time after 12 months of age.  Any child with a positive 


tuberculin skin test should be referred to a physician for 


evaluation.  After the initial evaluation, future periodic 


screening is not required unless the child develops persistent 


pulmonary symptoms or there is contact with tuberculosis. 





                2.  Native-Born 


 


Special screening of children born in the United States is not 


required unless there is history of contact to tuberculosis or 


there are symptoms and/or physical findings suggestive of 


tuberculosis. 


 


If the tuberculin test is negative, no future screening is 


required unless persistent pulmonary symptoms develop or 


there is contact with tuberculosis.  If the tuberculin skin test 


is positive, the child should be referred to a physician for 


evaluation. 


 


 


  *Tuberculosis screening is not recommended for programs 


providing care for less than two weeks. 


 


 **The preferred method is the Mantous technique using 5 


TU PPD.