TUBERCULOSIS
(TB)
Presentation by:
Sopheaksoksandy So, MPH, MLS(ASCP)CM
Jae Young Cho, MPH, BS
Yin Leung
OBJECTIVES
What is Tuberculosis (TB)?
How TB spreads
Latent TB Infection and TB
Disease
Risk Factors
TB Testing
BCG Vaccine
Treatment
WHAT IS TUBERCULOSIS (TB)?
Caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any
part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain.
TB is preventable and treatable, and not everyone infected with TB
bacteria becomes sick.
Two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB
disease. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.
According to the MDPH TB 5 Year data from 2017-2021, the 5-year
average is 8 TB cases in the city of Quincy.
HOW TB 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.
TB IS NOT
SPREAD BY
TB germs are spread from person to
person by air only
LATENT TB INFECTION VS. TB DISEASE
Characteristics A person with Latent TB A person with TB Disease …
Infection …
Active or Inactive Germs? Has a small amount of TB germs in his/ Has a large amount of active TB germs
her body that are alive but inactive 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 spread TB bacteria to others May spread TB bacteria to others
Tests? Usually has a skin test or blood test Usually has a skin test or blood test
result indicating TB infection result indicating TB infection
Follow up tests? Has a normal chest x-ray and a negative May have an abnormal chest x-ray, or
sputum smear positive sputum smear or culture
Treatment? Needs treatment for latent TB infection Needs treatment to treat TB disease
to prevent TB disease
RISK
FACTORS
TB TESTING
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.
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.
TREATMENT FOR
LATENT TB INFECTION
People with latent TB infection
Should take medicine to prevent the
development of TB disease, even though they
don’t feel sick.
Treatment is highly recommended for people
who have a higher risk of developing 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 such as substance
users, diabetes, RA, and Crohn’s disease.
TREATMENT FOR TB
DISEASE
People with TB disease
Can pass TB germs to their family, friends,
and others around them if they don’t take TB
medicine the right way.
People with TB disease need to take several
medicines when they start treatment.
After taking TB medicine for several weeks,
and most people take TB medicine for at
least 6 months to be cured.
A doctor will be able to tell TB patients when
they are no longer able to spread TB germs
to others.
People may undergo direct observation
therapy (DOT) to make sure that the
medicine is being taken correctly and is
working effectively.
https://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/faqs/default.htm
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/tuberculosis
RESOURCES
https://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/factsheets/general
/tb.htm
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!
