WHAT IS TUBERCULOSIS? Tuberculosis is an airborne communicable disease caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. Most people have TB 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 HEALTH DEPARTMENT SERVICES FOR TB CONTROL Skin test are offered daily by appointment. A fee of 8 dollars is charged. 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. For More information on TB or to make an appointment for a skin test, call 237-3141. For additional information on Tuberculosis please visit: The American Lung Association Web Site