A purified protein derivative (PPD) skin test is a method that determines if a person has tuberculosis (TB). Tuberculosis is the second greatest global killer next to HIV/AIDS. As such, having yourself tested by a medical clinic is crucial to identify if you have the disease or not.
So, when should you consider getting a PPD test? Our urgent care clinic in Sebastopol, California, suggests getting a PPD test if you have experienced the following:
- You’ve been around someone with TB.
- You have a weakened immune system due to certain medications.
If you have recently experienced the aforementioned, we suggest visiting our urgent care in California. We at Progressive Urgent Care – Sebastopol offer quality PPD testing and TDAP vaccinations to help you combat or mitigate this life-threatening disease.
How is the PPD test performed?
Once you have arrived and checked in to our clinic, a doctor or nurse will swab the skin of your inner forearm with alcohol. You will get a small shot that contains PPD under the top layer of your skin. You may feel a slight sting. A bump or small welt will form, but it will eventually go away after a few hours.
After 48 to 72 hours, you must return to your doctor. If the area where PPD is injected is not swollen, this means that the test results are negative. No matter what results you get within 48 to 72 hours after the shot, you still need to check with our medical staff for confirmation and after-care.
For more information about PPD testing, our after-hours care is always ready to help. Call us at 707-503-6100.