Who needs to have a TB skin test?
There are no IDPH rules and regulations that require the initial or routine skin testing of school children for TB. However, the local health department, TB board, or IDPH may, after considering community factors, institute routine, periodic testing when a community, school, or school district has a higher than expected prevalence of infection. The TB Control Program recommends that children be assessed individually and skin tested by the Mantoux method if they are: in a high risk group, such as children who are immunosuppressed due to HIV infection or other conditions, recent immigrants from high prevalence countries, or exposed to adults in high-risk categories (see CDC guidelines). Some school districts require TB skin testing as part of the school health examination. TB skin testing requirements for federal Head Start programs are decided by local Health Services Advisory Committees. The Department of Children and Family Services requires that children in licensed day care centers
