TB (tuberculosis)

[Immunizations]   [Personal Health]   [Home]   [ABC/0-5]    

What is TB?
TB is an illness that harms the lungs.  It can also harm other parts of the body.  TB is caused by a germ.  The germ is spread through the air.  Some people with TB germs do not look or feel sick.  Their TB germs are not active.  The germs may stay that way for a short time or for years.

If the TB germs become active, the person may:

bulletcough a lot
bulletfeel weak
bullethave a fever
bulletlose weight
bulletcough up blood
bulletsweat a lot at night

A person with active TB can pass TB germs to others.  TB germs get into the air.  This happens when someone with active TB:

bulletcoughs
bulletsneezes
bulletlaughs
bulletsings
bullettalks

 

You can breathe in TB germs
This can happen if you:
bulletlive with someone with active TB who is not getting proper treatment
bullethave frequent, close contact with someone with active TB who is not getting proper treatment

 
Certain people should have the TB skin test
For example, you should have the test if you:
bulletlive or have frequent, close contact with someone who has active TB
bullethave HIV, the virus that causes AIDS
bullethave any signs of active TB
bulletlive or work in a hospital, prison, shelter, nursing home (any place where many people are in close contact)
bulletcame to the Untied States from a county where TB is common
bulletshoot drugs
 

TB skin testing is simple
You will get an injection.
bulletThe injection goes just under your skin.
bulletYou will need to have your skin test checked in 2 or 3 days.  Be sure to return when you are asked to.

Understand the test results

bulletA negative result means you probably do not have TB germs.  You may need another test to make sure.
bulletA positive result means you probably have TB germs.  You may need treatment.

Tell your health-care provider if you have HIV.

bulletYou may need different tests to check for TB.
bulletIt may be dangerous to take some HIV medicines with some TB medicines.

 
Most cases of TB can be cured!
If you have a positive TB skin test, you may need:
bulleta chest x-ray
bulletother tests

Theses tests will tell your health-care provider:

bulletif your TB germs are active or not active
bulletif you need medicine, and what kind
bullet**Medicine can keep TB from becoming active.  It can also cure TB if it is already active.

Your health-care provider may also want you to get tested for HIV.  People with HIV:

bulletare more likely to get active TB
bulletmay take longer to be cured of TB
 

TB medicine is the only way to cure TB.
Be sure to:
bulletTake your medicine for as long as your health-provider says, even if you feel fine.  (He or she may want you to take it while a trained person watches.)
bulletTell your health-care provider right away if the medicine makes you sick.
bulletGo for all checkups.

If you do not take your medicine exactly as you are told:

bulletYou may get very sick.
bulletYour TB germs may become resistant to the TB medicine.  This means the medicine may not work.
bulletYour treatment may take longer.
bulletYou may never get well.
bulletYou could spread TB to others.

Tell you health-care provider if you are not taking your TB medicine. He or she can help.

 

For more information contact your local health department or physician.

Shiawassee County Health Department

110 East Mack Street

Corunna, Michigan 48817

(989) 743-2355

1-800-859-4229 

[Immunizations]   [Personal Health]   [Home]   [ABC/0-5]