Arkansas State Law requires any person born in a country where Tuberculosis is endemic, who is not a permanent resident, and who receives instruction in a room in which other students are present, be screened for TB. Because TB is so common globally, it is easier to list countries of low TB prevalence rather than high. Persons from these countries are EXEMPT from the TB screening requirement.
Students from countries where tuberculosis is endemic will have a “See Health Services” hold on their BOSS account. The hold will not be removed until the student (1) provides evidence of a prior T-SPOT completed in the United States or Canada within the last 6 months, or (2) completes the tuberculosis screening requirement as described below:
A. Obtain a T-SPOT test at Health Services.
OR
B. Obtain a T-SPOT elsewhere (within the United States or Canada) and submit proof of the T-SPOT to Health Services for review. Proof must contain the following information:
- your name
- date of birth
- date of T-SPOT
- test results (Negative or Positive)
- name and address of provider
There are 3 possible results from a T-SPOT:
- NEGATIVE: There is no sign of TB infection. No further follow up is required. The hold in BOSS will be removed.
- BORDERLINE: Results are uncertain; a repeat blood test is required in 8 weeks.
- POSITIVE: TB bacteria is present, indicating likely TB infection. TB infection does NOT mean active TB. TB bacteria can live in your body without making you sick. This is called latent TB infection. In most people who breathe in TB bacteria and become infected, the body is able to fight the bacteria and stop them from growing.
If results are positive, a provider from Health Services will contact you and ask you to return to the clinic. During the return visit, the provider will provide instructions for getting a chest x-ray at Radiology Associates. After the chest x-ray is complete, Radiology Associates will provide you with a copy of your chest x-ray on a disc. This disc MUST be returned to Health Services ASAP. A Health Services staff member will hand-deliver the x-ray and required paperwork to the Arkansas Department of Health TB Clinic to determine if further evaluation is necessary. If no further action is needed, your hold will be removed.
Also during the return visit, the provider will talk about a medication that can reduce the risk of developing active tuberculosis by 90%. Through a partnership with the Arkansas Department of Health, this medication (valued at over $600 per student) is provided at no cost. Students who accept the medication will visit the clinic weekly (for 12 consecutive weeks) to take the medication. Students who finish the full 12 week course of medication, are no longer required to get an annual chest x-ray (unless he/she later develops symptoms). Students who decline the medication will be required to get an annual chest x-ray as long as they are a student at UA Little Rock.
