If exposed to TB, what is the recommended initial action?

• A. Start medication immediately
• B. Quarantine for 6 months
• C. Do nothing
• D. Request skin test

Answer: (D)

After exposure to TB, the first action is to assess infection status with a tuberculosis skin test (or an alternative blood test, if available). This step is essential because exposure does not automatically mean you have active disease; many people harbor latent TB infection and may become ill later. The skin test helps identify who has been infected and needs further evaluation.

If the test is positive, you don’t start treatment right away for everyone—you’ll typically proceed with a medical evaluation, including a chest X-ray and possibly sputum testing, to determine if there is active TB disease or latent infection only. If the test is negative soon after exposure, it can be a false negative due to the window period, so health guidelines usually recommend repeating the test after about 8–12 weeks to confirm whether conversion occurred. Quarantine for months or starting medication immediately without testing aren’t the appropriate first steps in this scenario.