Immunizations and PPD Screening

Work-Related Immunizations and Tuberculosis Screening in Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, and Merced counties

If your employer requires certain vaccinations or screenings for baseline testing or workplace prevention, our offices at Pinnacle Healthcare provide immunizations, titers, and PPD screening for your occupational requirements. Our staff can vaccinate or screen you for tuberculosis quicker than having to wait for weeks on end for availability with your doctor, a major plus for those who need to handle these matters more rapidly for work-related reasons.

Immunizations and Titers Available

A preview of the types of immunizations and titers we offer here at Pinnacle Healthcare include:

• Immunizations:
• Hepatitis B
• Influenza (flu shot)
• Tdap
• TD

Titers:

• Hepatitis B antibody
• HIV
• MMR
• Varicella (chickenpox)

For quicker vaccinations to fulfill your occupational requirements, contact one of our convenient locations for additional information.

Tuberculosis/PPD Screening

Tuberculosis is a highly infectious and dangerous disease that primarily affects the lung, among other parts of the body. While many cases tend to be latent/dormant, the disease can exacerbate to become what is termed active tuberculosis, which if left untreated, tends to have a much higher mortality rate than other diseases. While it is not as common in more developed regions of the world such as the U.S., it is nonetheless a major health concern and many occupations require tuberculosis screening for the safety of their employees.

Symptoms of TB

Even if your body might have the mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria that causes the disease, your immune system can help prevent symptoms or illness from occurring right away. This inactive phase of the bacteria is known as latent or dormant tuberculosis, and at this point is not contagious. However, if left untreated, this latent form can progress and develop into active tuberculosis, in which you will start noticing symptoms and at this phase is when the disease becomes infectious.

The signs and symptoms to look out for are:

• A cough that is persistent for over three weeks
• Coughing up mucus with blood
• Chest pain, along with pain whilst coughing or breathing
• Fever
• Chills/night sweats
• Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue

Even if you are not experiencing any signs or symptoms of active tuberculosis, you might need a TB test/PPD screening if you:

• Are diagnosed with AIDS/HIV
• Use an intravenous-based medication
• Have returned home from visiting a country with high rates of tuberculosis infections
• Work as a healthcare worker, which may expose you to patients who might have active TB
• Have reasons to believe that you have been in close contact with someone who is showing symptoms of active TB

For PPD screening and other health requirements to start or go back to work, contact any of our office locations for swift immunizations, health screenings, and more.