Picture of a man sitting on a couch and coughing because he has tuberculosis.Do you have chest pain and a persistent cough that’s producing blood or mucus? Have you developed a fever that’s accompanied by chills or night sweats? Is your appetite smaller than it normally is, or have you lost weight for no explainable reason? Are you more tired than usual, or do you just feel unwell in general?

If any of this sounds familiar, there’s a chance you could have tuberculosis (TB), so it’s important that you promptly get tested. Fortunately, if you’re in Ringgold, Georgia, or the surrounding area, you can turn to Erlanger ExpressCare for TB testing. Our local clinic is open seven days a week during extended hours, and we don’t require TB testing appointments—instead, you can walk in at the time that’s most convenient for you.

What Does Tuberculosis Testing Involve?

When you come to Erlanger ExpressCare for a suspected TB infection, we’ll begin by asking you about your medical history and any symptoms you’re currently experiencing. We’ll also want to know whether you’ve been in contact with anyone who’s been diagnosed with TB. If we determine that you need TB testing, we’ll recommend either a skin test or a blood test.

Skin testing—the more common of the two options—requires two visits. During the first one, we’ll inject tuberculin into your inner forearm. Then, between 48 and 72 hours later, we’ll check your arm for swelling. If we find a hard, raised red bump, it means that you likely have TB.

Visit Our Tuberculosis Testing Clinic

If you’re experiencing the symptoms described above, you’ve been exposed to someone who’s infected with TB, or you require employment TB testing, stop into Erlanger ExpressCare’s Ringgold, GA, urgent care center today. We look forward to meeting with you and supplying you with the answers you need.