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 Even those that do often rely on outdated, less effective tests.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
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.
