Dr Shaun Hutchinson
- 2010-11-10
Hi Ann
This is unusual, it may be your body developed antibodies in response to the vaccine, which never declined with age. If your chest x-ray is clear, it does not necessarily mean you are clear of TB, as TB can affect other parts of the body, such as the genitourinary tract, heart, bones, etc. I come from South Africa where TB is rife with our AIDS epidemic.
I cannot say what the doctors in South Korea will say, but if you test positive, with no signs and symptoms of infection, and your chest x-ray are clear, the doctors in Korea still may think you could have TB in another part of your body. I would get a letter from your doctor, and forward this on to the agent who is trying to find a position for you in South Korea so that they may inquire on your behalf with the medical fraternity there. Hopefully that would give you the answer you are looking for.
Coming from the USA where TB is not prevalent then I don't think you would have issues, however if you were coming from say South Africa, it could pose a problem for you.
I hope you find the answer you are looking for. Let me know what transpires.
I am also about to leave to go teach in South Korea, I should arrive in December. I wish you luck in finding a position over there.
If you have any questions then feel free to ask.
Hi,
I am starting my research on Teaching English in Korea for February 2011. In process of reading the requirement to teach in this country and only had one reason which was I noticed that they do a blood test when you arrive in the country.
My specific question lies in the Tuberculosis (TB) test they perform. All my life when I have gotten a blood test I always test positive for TB. After the TB initial positive test the doctors schedules a chest x-rays and they always come back negative. It has something to do with being vaccinated as a toddler when I first moved to the United States.
Will this be an issue when I arrive to Korea? Will Korean doctors perform a chest x-ray before making their decision? Will a letter from my current doctor explaining my TB situation, help with clearing myself to teach in Korea?
Once in Korea and I do not pass the TB clearance test to their standards how long before I am deported?