Russia and Belarus Sputum Test (TB)

[NatPat 1]

My fiancee and I arrived in the US from Moscow on July 1st, and I quickly wanted to share our experiences, specifically in regards to the medical exam. My fiancee is from Belarus, but since we both lived in Russia, we were able to apply at the embassy in Moscow instead of in Warsaw as most Belarusians are supposed to do. A week before our interview, we went to IOM for the medical exam, and the doctor told us (rather rudely) that my fiancee had to undergo a sputum exam to search for TB. Needless to say, we were both in a panic. After the first day of the sputum, however, we consulted two more doctors, both of whom said there were no abnormalities in my fiancee's chest x-ray. We further learned that, according to the CDC, Belarus is considered a high-risk country for TB, and therefore some 88% of all Belarusians wishing to emigrate anywhere (US, EU, Australia, etc.) are required to undergo a sputum examination. Though this news did not entirely alleviate our fears, it certainly made us feel better, and a month and a half later my fiancee received her visa (with a class B annotation, however). This caution is not limited strictly to Belarus, as many Russians similarly have to undergo the exam if the doctor sees anything on the chest x-ray that could even remotely suggest TB, such as scars from broncitis.

So what I'm trying to say is if you have to undergo a sputum exam, don't panic. This is especially the case for any Belarusian applicant, but also for Russians, and pretty much anyone around the world. The medical examiners are extremely cautious, especially with certain nationalities, and I suggest going to a different doctor with your chest x-ray to clarify your results.

[jwyn3150 1]

Thanks for the heads up! My fiancee is Russian so if this comes up we know it isn't the end of the world.

[TBoneTX 43,020]

*** Country-specific thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the Russia/Ukraine/Belarus regional subforum. ***

[zalphahoax 0]

Happened to us. She is Russian. Are test start Monday