TB test for college, female student packing stuff in front of the locker, QFT
TB Management

Student Health

Fighting TB on college and university campuses

Nearly 1 million international students are enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities, making the U.S. the most popular destination for foreign students (1). According to the CDC, 72% of TB cases in the U.S. are among non-U.S.-born individuals, who have a 15 times higher risk of developing active TB (2).

Foreign-born students make up about 5% of the U.S. student population (1), and crowded campuses increase the risk of TB spreading. This makes it crucial to screen and test international students from high-risk countries. Additionally, students who have lived or spent time in countries with higher TB rates should also be tested. Early detection and treatment of TB through proper screening can prevent the disease from spreading to others.

Unfortunately, many colleges and universities don't have a TB testing policy for incoming or international students. Even those that do often rely on outdated, less effective tests. It's important to ensure that your students and faculty are protected from TB with proper screening and testing measures in place.

Welcome students to a healthy and safe campus

TB test for college and university campuses

QFT-Plus, QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus, blood draw

ACHA states that in most situations relevant to college health, the preferred method for testing for TB infection is a TB blood test (IGRA) rather than a tuberculin skin test (TST) (3).

Utilizing an IGRA – such as QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) – on your campus is a simple solution for busy students and staff, providing accurate results with one visit and fewer false positives than the skin test. IGRAs are also cost-effective and covered by insurance providers, allowing for easy implementation at your college or university.

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References: 
  1. Statista. Top host destination of international students worldwide in 2020, by number of students (2020). https://www.statista.com/statistics/297132/top-host-destination-of-international-students-worldwide/ (accessed June 7, 2022)
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data and Statistics (2022). https://www.cdc.gov/tb/statistics/default.htm (accessed June 7, 2022)
  3. 3. American College Health Association. Tuberculosis Screening and Targeted Testing of College and University Students (2024). https://www.acha.org/documents/resources/guidelines/ACHA_Tuberculosis_Screening_May2024.pdf

QFT-Plus is an in vitro diagnostic aid for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. QFT-Plus is an indirect test for M. tuberculosis infection (including disease) and is intended for use in conjunction with risk assessment, radiography, and other medical and diagnostic evaluations. QFT-Plus Package Inserts, available in multiple languages, as well as up-to-date licensing information and product-specific disclaimers can be found at www.QuantiFERON.com.