READ THIS INFORMATION THOROUGHLY AND CAREFULLY!
All new students at Binghamton University must complete a screen to indicate their risk for tuberculosis exposure. Students will need their Binghamton University computer account username and password to complete this process. Failure to complete indicated tuberculosis screening, testing, or follow up of positive results, will result in the inability to register for classes.
If they have not already done so, students must go to the Patient Portal and complete the Tuberculosis Screening Questionnaire. If a student has ever tested positive, or their answers indicate they are at higher than average risk for exposure to tuberculosis, the questionnaire will end and the student will get a pop-up message stating that they are at risk. The pop-up may take up to 30 seconds to appear. In addition, the student will receive a secure message through the portal stating that they are at risk.
Students told that they are at higher than average risk for tuberculosis must make and appointment with their medical provider to have a tuberculosis test performed. Students must read and follow the guidance bellow to have the correct test done.
Tuberculosis testing guide for international students
International students who require tuberculosis testing must upload proof of an Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) test done within the 12 months prior to enrollment. Other names for this test are a “Quantiferon TB Gold” test or a "T-Spot" test. No other tuberculosis tests are acceptable. You may have this test performed at any laboratory in the world, but the actual laboratory report must be submitted to the Decker Student Health Services Center (DSHSC). The report must be in English, or be translated into English, and must have the student’s name and date of birth on each page.
NOTE: IGRA tests are not reliable if they are performed within 28 days of having a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine or a varicella vaccine. Be sure to have your IGRA test first, or be prepared to wait 28 days after receiving the MMR or varicella vaccine to get the test done.
Tuberculosis testing guidance for domestic students
Domestic students who require tuberculosis testing may choose to send DSHSC proof of having had a Tuberculin Skin Test (also called a TST or a PPD) or an Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) test. If you have a PPD test performed, it must be done within the United States or Canada within the 12 months prior to enrolling, and you must submit documentation from the medical provider who performed the test which indicates the date the test was placed, the date the test was interpreted, the size of the skin reaction, and the interpretation of the result. Alternatively, you may choose to have an IGRA test done within the 12 months prior to enrolling. Brand names for IGRA tests include “Quantiferon TB Gold” test or "T- spot" test.
NOTE: IGRA tests are not reliable if they are performed within 28 days of having a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine or a varicella vaccine. Be sure to have your IGRA test first, or be prepared to wait 28 days after receiving the MMR or varicella vaccine to get the test done.
Uploading testing results
Once the you have the tuberculosis test result, access the Patient Portal again and upload the laboratory report (IGRA test) or the record of the TST test. To do so, go to the UPLOADS tab and select STUDENT HEALTH REQUIREMENTS as the reason for the upload.
If your tuberculosis test is positive you will require further testing and evaluation by your medical provider. If you have never tested positive for tuberculosis before, you will need to have a chest x-ray performed BEFORE ARRIVING AT BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY. The date on the chest x-ray must prove it was done after you had the positive tuberculosis test.
If you have EVER previously tested positive for tuberculosis, you DO NOT need to have another tuberculosis test. Use the Patient Portal to send a secure message to the user “Ask the Nurse” asking about your next steps for becoming compliant.