EIU Medical Clinic

Tuberculosis Screening and Testing for  EIU International Students

Tuberculosis is a communicable disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB is spread from person to person through the air when someone with infectious TB coughs, sneezes, or otherwise expels bacteria-laden droplets. If another person inhales air containing droplet nuclei, transmission may occur. A person, who becomes infected with M. tuberculosis but does not have active TB disease, is considered to have latent TB infection (LTBI). A person with LTBI cannot spread the infection to others but the infection carries a life-time risk of developing active TB in the future.

Targeted testing is a strategic component of TB control that identifies persons at high risk for developing TB and who would benefit with treatment for LTBI. Persons who were born in or have lived in countries with a high incidence of TB are at highest risk of developing TB.

Those Required to Be Screened

• All international students are required to be screened for freedom from tuberculosis diseases within 14 days of their arrival on the Eastern Illinois University campus.

TB Screening Procedure

• All incoming international students will complete an on-line risk assessment screening questionnaire that will identify those who have been at high risk to Tuberculosis.
• The link to this screening questionnaire will be electronically provided to students through their EIU e-mail and at their International New Student Orientation program.
• Students not complying with the TB Screening form will be blocked from registering for future semesters and may be subject to a non-compliance administrative fee.

TB Testing Procedure

All international students will be required to undergo IGRA-type Quantiferon Gold TB Screening Testing at the SBL-EIU Student Medical Clinic at their expense, unless:

• Their TB screening questionnaire does not indicate any known high-risk factors.
• They originate from an international country of origin which is deemed to be a low TB risk locale by the CDC/WHO
• Have certified documentation of a completed IGRA-type Quantiferon Gold TB Screening Testing that was performed within the United States within the past 12 months of the first day of classes of the student’s first semester at Eastern Illinois University
• Have certified documentation (In English) of having completed prophylactic treatment for TB within or outside of the United State

Once their screening procedure is completed and reviewed, students will receive instructions as to whether they need to report to the SBL-EIU Student Medical Clinic to test or not.

Once tested, students will likely receive one of three outcomes:

2. 1. Negative Test Screening – considered not to be infected and cleared regarding TB requirements.
   2. Positive Test Screening – required to have additional examination, including a chest x-ray and a face-to-face appointment with an EIU medical provider.
   3. Indeterminate Test Screening - required to have additional examination, including a chest x-ray and a face-to-face appointment with an EIU medical provider.

Students with positive or indeterminate test screening will be required to complete required screenings and medical treatments before being medically cleared.

Students not complying with TB testing and any required medical follow-ups will be blocked from registering for future semesters and may be subject to a non-compliance administrative fee.

Students who do not meet the TB requirements or subsequent screening measures may be prohibited from attending classes until such time as determination has been made of no public health risk by the Health and Counseling Services Executive Director.

Medical Documentation Not Accepted

• IGRA-type Quantiferon Gold TB Screening Test Results performed outside of the United States
• IGRA-type Quantiferon Gold TB Screening Test Results performed inside of the United States beyond one year of the first day of class of the student’s first semester at Eastern Illinois University
• Mantoux/STS Test Results performed outside or inside of the United States

Questions

Question regarding TB Screening and TB testing may be directed to Health and Counseling Services at: immunizations@eiu.edu or 217/581-7786.