13/07/2025
Pulmonary clearance
Starting a new job or applying for a visa abroad might require a medical check-up and sometimes a pulmonary clearance, especially if your x-ray shows something.
👍 Don’t worry – a finding on your x-ray doesn’t always mean you cannot work or go abroad!
☝️What is a pulmonary clearance?
It's an assessment to ensure your lungs are healthy enough for your job duties and that you won't pose a health risk to yourself or others, especially if it’s a communicable infection like tuberculosis, which is relatively common in our country.
☝️What to prepare for in a pulmonary clearance:
Try to get the x-ray plates (film or paper) aside from the official reading as much as possible. If you have old x-rays, bring them as well.
☝️Why X-ray?
A chest x-ray helps us examine your lungs and identify past or current conditions. TB is common here in the Philippines, and sometimes, old, healed TB leaves "scars" on the lungs that show up on an x-ray.
☝️What does it mean if you have “findings” on your x-ray?
This is where many people get anxious. Here are the most common scenarios:
✅ 1. Old, Healed Findings (Most Common!):
- Often, your x-ray might show signs of an old infection (like TB) that your body has already successfully fought off and healed. These can appear as small scars (sometimes referred to as fibrosis) or calcifications.
👍 Good News: If these findings are stable and you have no symptoms, it means you are not infectious and your lungs are generally healthy for work!
✅ 2. Needs Further Check-Up:
Sometimes, an x-ray finding might need a bit more investigation to be sure you don't have an active disease. This could mean:
👉Asking more questions about your health history.
👉Checking your sputum (phlegm) for possible active infection.
👉Getting additional chest x-ray views.
Goal: Our aim is to confirm if the finding is indeed old and inactive, or if it requires any attention.
✅ 3. Active Infection (Less Common, but Important):
In a smaller number of cases, an x-ray might show signs of an active lung infection (like active TB).
👉Important: If this happens, our priority is to get you diagnosed and started on the right treatment immediately. Rest assured, TB is curable, and once you are on treatment and no longer infectious (within one to two weeks), you can often return to work!
What Should YOU Do?
👍 Don't Panic: An x-ray finding is just one piece of the puzzle. Don’t try to diagnose your condition by searching the internet, as it is mostly not applicable to you. Let your doctor explain it to you.
👍 Be Honest: Provide a complete medical history, including any past illnesses or treatments, don’t be shy or embarrassed about them.
👍 Ask Questions: If you're unsure about anything, ask your doctor! We're here to explain.
Your health is our priority. We want to ensure you're fit for your work and have peace of mind.
Gerard S. Garcia, MD, FP*P, FPCCP
