Tuberculosis (TB)

World TB Day 2011  Fact Sheet http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/TB/publications/WTBD2011.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a TB skin test? How does treatment occur? What are the symptoms of TB? What is the difference between latent TB infection and TB disease? What should I do if I have been exposed to someone with TB? Why is latent TB infection treated?

How much will it cost? What is tuberculosis? How is TB spread? What should I do if I have spent time with someone with Latent TB? What does a positive test for TB infection mean? How is TB disease treated?

 

By Appointment Only
Effective immediately, you must have an appointment for all services. Please call 509-524-2650 to make an appointment. See Clinic Hours below.

Clinic Hours

All Services Require an Appointment
MONDAY	8-11 AM  and  1-3 PM
TUESDAY	8-11 AM   and  1-4 PM
WEDNESDAY	8-11 AM   and  1-4 PM
THURSDAY	NO CLINIC SERVICES
FRIDAY	8-11 AM -  CLOSED PM
Please call 509-524-2650 to make an appointment.

Answers to FAQ 
How do I get a TB skin test?

• Come to the Health Department during Clinic Hours for TB tests.
• A nurse will perform the test and instruct you to return for results after 48-72 hours.
• Make sure your schedule allows you to return for your reading/results in 48-72 hours (see Clinic Hours below) .
• The total cost for TB tests is $35. (Back to Top) 

How much does it cost?

• The total cost for TB tests is $35.  (Back to Top) 

How does treatment occur?

If a TB test is positive the following process begins:

1. A patient is seen by a nurse who refers the patient to a local hospital for a chest x-ray.Patients are responsible for payment of their x-rays, either self-pay or insurance.
2. When x-ray results are available you will be referred to your private physician for evaluation. You and your doctor will discuss taking medication to treat latent tuberculosis.
3. TB medications can be provided by the Health Department at no charge or you can purchase them at your pharmacy. Either choice requires a written prescription from your doctor.
4. You will be evaluated throughout the course of your treatment by health care professionals.  (Back to Top) 

TB Information

What is tuberculosis?

• Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by germs that are spread from person to person through the air.
• TB usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys, or the spine.
• A person with TB can die if they do not get treatment.  (Back to Top) 

What are the symptoms of TB?

• The general symptoms of TB disease include feelings of sickness or weakness, weight loss, fever, and night sweats.
• The symptoms of TB disease of the lungs also include coughing, chest pain, and the coughing up of blood.
• Symptoms of TB disease in other parts of the body depend on the area affected.  (Back to Top) 

How is TB spread?

• TB germs are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks or sings. 
• These germs can stay in the air for several hours, depending on the environment. 
• Persons who breathe in the air containing these TB germs can become infected; this is called latent TB infection.  (Back to Top) 

What is the difference between latent TB infection and TB disease?

• People with latent TB infection have TB germs in their bodies, but they are not sick because the germs are not active.
• These people do not have symptoms of TB disease, and they cannot spread the germs to others.  However, they may develop TB disease in the future.
• They are often prescribed treatment to prevent them from developing TB disease.  (Back to Top) 

What should I do if I have spent time with someone with Latent TB?

• A Person with latent TB infection cannot spread germs to other people.
• You do not need to be tested if you have spent time with someone with latent TB infection.
• However, if you have spent time with someone with TB disease or someone with symptoms of TB, you should be tested.  (Back to Top) 

What should I do if I have been exposed to someone with TB?

• People with TB disease are most likely to spread the germs to people they spend time with every day, such as family members or coworkers. 
• If you have been around someone who has TB disease, you should go to your doctor or your local health department for tests.  (Back to Top) 

What does a positive test for TB infection mean?

• A positive test for TB infection only tells that a person has been infected with TB germs. 
• It does not tell whether or not the person has progressed to TB disease. 
• Other tests, such as a chest x-ray and a sample of sputum, are needed to see whether the person has TB disease.  (Back to Top) 

Why is latent TB infection treated?

• If you have latent TB infection but not TB disease, your doctor may want you to take a drug to kill the TB germs and prevent you from developing TB disease.
• The decision about taking treatment for latent infection will be based on your chances of developing TB disease. 
• Some people are more likely than others to develop TB disease once they have TB infection.
• This includes people with HIV infection, people who were recently exposed to someone with TB disease, and people with certain medical conditions.  (Back to Top) 

How is TB disease treated?

• TB disease can be treated by taking several drugs for 6-12 months.  It is very important that people who have TB disease finish the medicine, and take the drugs exactly as prescribed.
• If they stop taking the drugs too soon, they can become sick again; if they do not take the drugs correctly, the germs that are still alive may become resistant to those drugs.
• TB that is resistant to drugs is harder and more expensive to treat.  (Back to Top) 
  
  

Updated: 7/12/2012