3. WHAT ISTUBERCULOSIS (TB)?
Caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
The bacteria usually attack the lungs, butTB bacteria can attack any
part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain.
TB is preventable and treatable, and not everyone infected withTB
bacteria becomes sick.
TwoTB-related conditions exist: latentTB infection (LTBI) andTB
disease. If not treated properly,TB disease can be fatal.
According to the MDPHTB 5Year data from 2017-2021, the 5-year
average is 8TB cases in the city of Quincy.
4. HOWTB SPREADS
• TB germs go into the air when
someone who is sick with TB disease in
the lungs coughs, sneezes, speaks or
sings.
• People who are living, working, or
spending a lot of time with this person
share the same air. They can breathe in
the TB germs and get infected with TB.
• You cannot get TB from a person with
latent TB infection.
5. TB IS NOT
SPREAD BY
TB germs are spread from person to
person by air only
6. LATENT TB INFECTION VS. TB DISEASE
Characteristics A person with Latent TB
Infection …
A person with TB Disease …
Active or Inactive Germs? Has a small amount ofTB germs in his/
her body that are alive but inactive
Has a large amount of activeTB germs
in his/her body
Symptoms? Has no symptoms Has symptoms that may include:
• A bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or
longer
• Chest pain
• Coughing up blood or sputum
• Weakness or fatigue
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Chills
• Fever
• Night sweats
Sick? Does not feel sick Usually feels sick
Spread? Cannot spreadTB bacteria to others May spreadTB bacteria to others
Tests? Usually has a skin test or blood test
result indicatingTB infection
Usually has a skin test or blood test
result indicatingTB infection
Follow up tests? Has a normal chest x-ray and a negative
sputum smear
May have an abnormal chest x-ray, or
positive sputum smear or culture
Treatment? Needs treatment for latentTB infection
to preventTB disease
Needs treatment to treatTB disease
8. TBTESTING
There are two different types of tests for TB
infection, a blood test and a skin test.
With a blood test, a small amount of your blood
is taken for the test.
With a TST skin test, a small amount of fluid is
placed under the skin of the forearm and requires
two visits.
If your TB test is positive, it means that you have
TB germs, and your doctor may order follow-up
chest X-ray and a sputum smear/culture to be
sure you are not sick with TB disease.
9. WHAT IS BACILLE CALMETTE–GUÈRIN
(BCG)VACCINE?
BCG is a vaccine against TB that is given in countries where TB is common.
It can help prevent infants and small children from getting sick with TB disease.
At best BCG protects children for up to 5 years.
Sometimes it does not protect against TB at all.
It is rarely used in the United States.
10. TREATMENT FOR
LATENTTB INFECTION
People with latentTB infection
Should take medicine to prevent the
development ofTB disease, even though they
don’t feel sick.
Treatment is highly recommended for people
who have a higher risk of developingTB
disease once they haveTB infection.
This includes people with HIV infection,
people who were recently exposed to
someone withTB disease, and people with
certain medical conditions such as substance
users, diabetes, RA, and Crohn’s disease.
11. TREATMENT FORTB
DISEASE
People withTB disease
Can passTB germs to their family, friends,
and others around them if they don’t takeTB
medicine the right way.
People withTB disease need to take several
medicines when they start treatment.
After takingTB medicine for several weeks,
and most people takeTB medicine for at
least 6 months to be cured.
A doctor will be able to tellTB patients when
they are no longer able to spreadTB germs
to others.
People may undergo direct observation
therapy (DOT) to make sure that the
medicine is being taken correctly and is
working effectively.
