Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease spread from person-to-person by close, prolonged exposure to infected airborne droplets, such as from a cough or sneeze. Prolonged exposure with an infectious person is necessary for TB to spread from person to person. Symptoms of TB may include a persistent cough of more than three weeks duration. Other symptoms may include fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite and fever.

Even when TB infection (the presence of TB bacteria in the body) is identified through a TB skin test, it does not necessarily mean a person will become sick with tuberculosis disease. In healthy people, the body’s immune system can fight the bacteria. The disease also can be prevented by taking a nine-month course of medication.

TB is not easy to catch.

To become infected with the TB germ, a person usually has to be exposed to the airborne droplets over an extended period of time.

A person is infected with TB by breathing TB germs from the air exhaled by an individual with lung tuberculosis when coughing, singing, shouting or sneezing.

A TB skin test (PPD/Mantoux) is quick, simple way to see if you have been exposed to TB.

• A positive skin test does NOT mean that you are sick or contagious.
• A positive skin test means that you have been infected with the TB germ and that your body has developed a sensitivity to the germ.
• A positive skin test means you should be evaluated by your physician or the Health Department to evaluate for latent or ongoing TB disease.

TB is treatable.

The prescription medication given for TB, called Isoniazid (INH), is given to persons who test positive for TB infection as demonstrated by a positive skin test and no evidence of active TB disease. This medication prevents the infection from developing into TB disease.

INH is usually given in pill form and is remarkably safe and effective. It must be taken every day for 9 months.

If TB is not treated, or if you do not take your medication properly, the disease can cause a serious health problem.

Signs and symptoms of TB are:

Loss of weight, coughing more than three weeks, especially coughing up mucus or blood, feeling weak, sweating at night, loss of appetite, chest pain and fever for more than three weeks.

For more information, call the Health Department's Communicable Disease line at 703-246-2433, TTY 703-591-6435 during regular business hours, M-F, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information on tuberculosis and TB testing, see the following Virginia Department of Health fact sheet or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention TB Web page.