Whether you need tuberculosis testing for work, school, travel, or after a recent exposure, getting the required screening should be simple and convenient.
At Family Urgent Care, we provide convenient walk-in TB testing in Chicago & Northwest Indiana. Our healthcare providers can review your screening needs and recommend the appropriate test.
What Is Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis, commonly known as TB, is an infection caused by bacteria that usually affects the lungs. However, the infection can also affect other parts of the body, including the kidneys, brain, spine, and lymph nodes.
Depending on how the bacteria behave in the body, there are two main TB-related conditions:
- Inactive or latent TB: The bacteria are present in the body but are not active. A person with inactive TB does not feel sick, has no symptoms, and cannot spread the infection to others.
- Active TB disease: The bacteria are multiplying and causing illness. People with active TB may experience symptoms and can potentially spread the bacteria through the air.
Common Tuberculosis Symptoms
Inactive TB does not cause symptoms. Because only active TB disease causes illness, it may lead to symptoms that should not be ignored.
Common tuberculosis symptoms include:
- Fever
- Chest pain
- Coughing up blood
- Weakness or fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- A cough lasting three weeks or longer
However, these symptoms do not always indicate tuberculosis, and a medical evaluation can help identify their cause.
Who Should Get a TB Screening?
Get a TB screening test at urgent care for work, school, or if you’re at higher risk of TB infection.
You may need TB testing if you:
- Need screening for employment or school
- Work in healthcare or another high-risk setting
- Have recently been exposed to someone with active TB
- Have a weakened immune system due to a health condition or medication.
If you fall into any of these groups, our providers can review your history and help determine whether a TB blood test or skin test is more suitable for you.
Why Choose Family Urgent Care for TB Testing?
Getting the correct TB test and documentation should be simple. That’s why Family Urgent Care makes the screening process accessible and easy to understand.
Walk-In Availability
You do not have to wait several weeks for an appointment. Visit us for convenient walk-in testing that fits your schedule.
Blood and Skin Testing Options
Depending on your health history and screening requirements, our providers can help you complete the appropriate TB blood or skin test.
Convenient Locations
Patients looking for a TB blood test in Chicago & Northwest Indiana can visit one of our nearby clinics for accessible testing and professional care.
Clear Guidance and Follow-Up
Our friendly staff explains the testing process, when to expect your results, and whether you need to return to the clinic for follow-up.
How Urgent Care Test for Tuberculosis
During your visit, your provider will review your medical history, symptoms, TB exposure, previous TB test results, and vaccination history to determine the most appropriate test.
TB Blood Test
A TB blood test, also called an interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA), requires a blood sample to determine whether your immune system has been exposed to TB bacteria.
The test usually requires only one clinic visit and is often recommended for people who have received the BCG vaccine, as the vaccine does not cause a positive TB blood test result.
TB Skin Test
A TB skin test involves placing a small amount of testing fluid under the skin of your forearm. You must return within 48 to 72 hours so a healthcare provider can examine the area and read the result.
A raised skin reaction alone does not confirm active tuberculosis.
Additional Evaluation
A positive TB blood or skin test shows that TB bacteria may be present in your body, but it does not confirm whether the infection is active or inactive.
Your provider may recommend:
- Chest X-ray
- Medical examination
- Sputum or other laboratory tests
- Referral to a specialist or public health department.
These tests help determine whether you have inactive TB infection or active TB disease.
Tuberculosis Treatment
Treatment depends on whether you have inactive TB infection or active TB disease.
- Inactive TB is treated to prevent the infection from becoming active.
- Active TB usually requires several medications taken over several months.
Take every medication exactly as prescribed and complete the full course, even if you feel better.
Family Urgent Care provides initial TB screening and guidance. Patients with suspected or confirmed active TB may be referred to a specialist or local public health program for further treatment.
Complete Your TB Screening Today
Need TB testing for work, school, or other requirements? Visit Family Urgent Care for convenient TB screening in Chicago and Northwest Indiana. Schedule your appointment today for fast, convenient TB screening, or contact us if you have questions.
FAQ's
Yes, many urgent care clinics offer TB blood testing. At Family Urgent Care, you can visit for a TB blood test needed for employment, school, healthcare work, travel, or other screening requirements.
Yes, urgent care clinics can perform TB skin tests for work, school, or other screening needs. During the test, a small amount of testing fluid is injected just under the skin of your forearm.
Most urgent care clinics do not offer the BCG vaccine (often called the TB vaccine). Instead, they commonly provide TB skin tests or TB blood tests to screen for tuberculosis. If you need the BCG vaccine, your healthcare provider can advise you on where it is available.
You can visit Family Urgent Care for tuberculosis screening. Walk-in testing is available for patients who need screening for employment, school, healthcare work, travel, or other requirements.
Tuberculosis infection is generally checked through either a blood test or a skin test. For a TB blood test, a healthcare professional collects a blood sample and sends it to a laboratory. For a TB skin test, testing fluid is placed under the skin of your forearm, and the area is examined 48 to 72 hours later.
Protection from the BCG tuberculosis vaccine can vary. It may provide protection for several years, particularly against serious forms of TB in children, but it does not provide complete or lifelong protection against pulmonary tuberculosis.