PPD Skin Testing Clinic in Frederick, MD

PPD testing is also known as the Tuberculosis test. This is a purified protein derivative skin test to determine if a person has Tuberculosis (TB). A serious infection, usually of the lungs, TB is caused by a bacterium that spreads when a person breathes in the air that was exhaled by an infected person. Common symptoms of TB are coughing, fever, nigh sweats, and weight loss. Most people in the United States do not show any symptoms.

It is common and usually required for those working in the healthcare and education field to be routinely screened for TB, using the PPD skin test. Those who have been around someone with TB or with a weakened immune system should also be tested for the disease.

When visiting your primary care provider, you can request a PPD test. The test is easily administered by a nurse. The tested location, typically on the inside forearm, will be cleaned with alcohol prior to the test being administered. A small shot containing PPD will be injected under the top layer of your skin. After a few hours, the bump or small welt that will form, will go away.

Getting the results of your PPD skin test is just as simple as receiving the test. After 48 to 72 hours, you will return to your primary care doctor (or wherever you received the test), and they will interpret the test results. The test is negative if the test area isn’t swollen or only slightly swollen. For more information, contact us today or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 801 Toll House Avenue, Suite E1, Frederick MD 21701. We serve patients from Frederick MD, Mt Pleasant MD, Braddock Heights MD, Walkersville MD, Lewistown MD, Urbana MD, Ballenger Creek MD, and surrounding areas.