TB Notes

What is Tuberculosis?

• Tuberculosis is an airborne communicable disease caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis.
• Most people diagnosed with TB have it in the lungs but it can be found in other places in the body --- the spine, kidneys, etc.
• TB is spread by an infected person coughing or sneezing droplet nuclei into the air.
• Close contacts are at highest risk of becoming infected.
• Persons with TB infection ( a positive PPD) but no disease are not infectious. They have a negative chest x-ray and no signs of disease. A doctor will evaluate them for TB preventive therapy.

TB Skin Test; Who Needs It?

A TB skin test shows if there are TB germs in the body. Certain people should be tested. These include people who:

• are HIV infected
• work/live in a health care setting
• work/live in a correctional institution
• use IV drugs
• have been in close contact with someone suspected of having TB
• moved to the US from a country with a high incidence of TB
• have symptoms of TB

Symptoms of TB

Productive cough which does not improve after 3 weeks /  Blood in sputum / Weight loss / Appetite loss / Night sweats / Fever / Chest pain / Shortness of breath

• Skin test are offered daily by appointment.
• Investigation of contacts includes skin tests.
• Chest x-rays are done when skin test are positive.
• Chest clinician reviews chest x-rays and evaluates for therapy.
• TB suspects/cases are followed regularly
• TB medicines are provided free for patients with TB disease and Preventive therapy.
• TB nurses provide Directly Observed Therapy for patients suspected of having disease or having disease or diagnosed with disease.

For More information on TB or to make an appointment for a skin test, call 296-2130.

For additional information on Tuberculosis please visit: The American Lung Association Web Site