Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) Stain (3 Samples) Test Cost & Procedure

AFB Stains: What Are They?

To determine whether you have a lung condition like tuberculosis, your doctor may do an acid-fast bacteria (AFB) stain test (TB). An AFB stain not only reveals tuberculosis but also other mycobacterial infections like leprosy or diseases that resemble TB and can afflict those with HIV/AIDS.

A particular kind of bacteria called mycobacteria can be found in soil and water. Although they are mostly innocuous, if they get into your body, they can lead to a variety of difficulties, such as lung problems, other infections, or skin sores.

A very slight speck of tissue or a slight quantity of lethargy or sputum that you spit up are utilized in an acid-fast bacteria examination. It can determine which of these groups the bacteria or fungus that is causing your sickness belongs to.

What Happens During an AFB Stain Test?

A particular trait shared by a number of microorganisms is acid fastness. This indicates that after being dyed with a particular medical dye, they will retain their color even after being subjected to decolorizing acid, which would typically cause the color to fade. Under a microscope, they are simple to spot and distinguish as a result.

In declaration to compile some of your sputum ,your medic will operate one of three procedures:

• Coughing. Your doctor will typically depend on gathering some of the material you cough up for an AFB stain.
• causing one to cough Your doctor may prescribe aerosolized saline to make you cough if you don't have a productive cough.
• Bronchoscopy. Your doctor uses a scope to examine your airways or lungs during this invasive operation, and sputum is also collected

AFB Stains: When to Request Them from Your Doctor

You might require this exam for a few factors, such as:

Your lungs are infected. Your medic may operate an AFB stain to examine the rationale if you display indications of a lung ailment. These signs frequently include a protracted or persistent cough, blood in the cough, considerable weight loss, a fever, chills, and exhaustion.

You are at elevated hazard or have TB. Your medic may utilize this examination to differentiate the existence of the ailment if a skin examination or blood examination for tuberculosis come back optimistic, or if you have a compromised immune system as an outcome of an ailment like AIDS) or HIV. Having spent time in a hospital, nursing home, or jail may also make you a high risk person.

Outside of your lungs, you have TB. While tuberculosis frequently affects the lungs, it can also affect the kidneys or the spinal cord. To determine whether it is damaging your lungs in addition to other areas, your doctor may employ an AFB stain.