by W. John Vandenberg
We all know that HIV is no longer a ground of inadmissibility, meaning it can’t block you from getting a visa to the United States. But this year, in March of 2014, the CDC decided that persons with HIV must get a special TB test. And this particular test takes 6-8 weeks for results! The first step is to have a “sputum test” administered on 3 consecutive business days to get the process started. CDC. Then they are going to wait 60 days to see if the cultures are positive.
We understand the reason for testing — TB is a serious disease. And we understand that persons who are HIV+ may show a false negative. But aren’t the x-rays determinative of an active TB infection? And there is no reason that an HIV+ person can’t take the same TB test as everyone else.
So, for those who are expecting a loved one to process overseas who is HIV+, don’t worry — they’ll get home. But just make sure you don’t purchase any tickets or flowers for the airport until they actually get here — two months later than just about everyone else…