What is TB?
TB, or tuberculosis, is a disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria can attack any part of your body, but they usually attack the lungs. People who are infected with TB do not feel sick, do not have any symptoms, and cannot spread TB, but may develop TB disease at some time in the future. People with TB disease can be treated and cured if they seek medical help. Even better, people who have TB infection but are not yet sick can take medicine so that they will never develop TB disease.
How is TB spread?
TB is spread through the air from one person to another. The bacteria are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs or sneezes. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected. People with TB disease are most likely to spread it to people they spend time with every day. This includes family members, friends, and coworkers.
How do I know if I have TB infection?
A PPD(skin test) is the only way to tell if you have TB infection. The test is “positive” if a bump about the size of a pencil eraser or bigger appears on your arm. This bump means you probably have TB infection. You may be given a drug to help prevent you from developing TB disease.
How do I know if I have TB disease?
If you have TB disease, you are sick from germs that are active in your body. You usually have symptoms of TB, such as feeling sick, coughing, weight loss, fever or night sweats. There are prescribed drugs that can cure TB disease.
The Tuberculosis Control Program provides assessments (a series of questions asked regarding past and present medical history).and skin testing to tell if you have TB infection. Follow-up is provided by the physician and public health nurse for those who have TB infection or TB disease.
Medication for TB infection is free of charge if you have no medical insurance. If you have medical insurance with prescription coverage, we will bill your insurance and the Hampton Health Department will pay your co-pay.
For more information on TB infection
or/and TB disease, contact Hampton
Health Department.