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Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is a disease that is spread from person-to-person through the air. It usually affects the lungs, but can affect any part of the body. TB can be a serious illness, but it is treatable with antibiotics. TB can live in a person’s body and not make the individual sick. This is known as latent TB infection (LTBI). When the bacteria begin to multiply, an individual will become sick with active TB disease.
Symptoms
General symptoms of TB disease may include feeling tired or weak, weight loss, fever or night sweats, and loss of appetite. When TB is in the lungs, there may be a bad cough (usually brassy and non-productive) that lasts three weeks or longer, chest pain, and possible coughing up of blood. Symptoms often develop gradually and worsen until treatment is started. LTBI individuals do not feel sick.
Symptoms
General symptoms of TB disease may include feeling tired or weak, weight loss, fever or night sweats, and loss of appetite. When TB is in the lungs, there may be a bad cough (usually brassy and non-productive) that lasts three weeks or longer, chest pain, and possible coughing up of blood. Symptoms often develop gradually and worsen until treatment is started. LTBI individuals do not feel sick.
Spread
By droplets that are expelled into the air when someone with TB disease coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. These droplets may be breathed in by others or they can dry out and be carried by dust particles on air currents. These dried particles can then infect other people that breathe them in Individuals with LTBI cannot spread TB.
Spread
By droplets that are expelled into the air when someone with TB disease coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. These droplets may be breathed in by others or they can dry out and be carried by dust particles on air currents. These dried particles can then infect other people that breathe them in Individuals with LTBI cannot spread TB.
Contagious Period
Only active TB disease of the lungs or throat is contagious. The contagious period is from the onset of symptoms until the person receives at least two weeks of treatment.
Contagious Period
Only active TB disease of the lungs or throat is contagious. The contagious period is from the onset of symptoms until the person receives at least two weeks of treatment.
Exclusion
A person with active TB disease should be excluded from a group setting. Those excluded due to active TB disease can return to a group setting when they have documented adherence to treatment and the individual is considered noninfectious by a medical professional. A person with a positive TB skin test, but without symptoms, should not be excluded but should see a healthcare provider as soon as possible for further evaluation.
Exclusion
A person with active TB disease should be excluded from a group setting. Those excluded due to active TB disease can return to a group setting when they have documented adherence to treatment and the individual is considered noninfectious by a medical professional. A person with a positive TB skin test, but without symptoms, should not be excluded but should see a healthcare provider as soon as possible for further evaluation.
Causes
Causes
Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria.
Incubation
It takes two to ten weeks after exposure to develop infection with TB. The risk of developing TB disease is highest during the first 6 months after infection and remains high for 2 years. Infection can be detected by a TB skin test. Most healthy people who become infected with TB bacteria will never develop symptoms of active TB disease. For those who do develop disease, symptoms can occur within a few weeks after infection or may occur many years later.
Incubation
It takes two to ten weeks after exposure to develop infection with TB. The risk of developing TB disease is highest during the first 6 months after infection and remains high for 2 years. Infection can be detected by a TB skin test. Most healthy people who become infected with TB bacteria will never develop symptoms of active TB disease. For those who do develop disease, symptoms can occur within a few weeks after infection or may occur many years later.
Prevention/Control
Prevention/Control
Practice cough etiquette by coughing into a tissue and disposing of it properly. Wear a surgical mask around others if productive coughing is present. If a person has been exposed for 8 or more hours to someone who has symptoms of active TB, they should be tested within 2-8 weeks.
Frequent, careful hand washing by child care staff, children, and household members.
Is it Reportable?
Provider: This disease is reportable to the local or state health department if a person with a positive skin test also has an abnormal chest x-ray or presents with symptoms consistent with active TB.
Is it Reportable?
Provider: This disease is reportable to the local or state health department if a person with a positive skin test also has an abnormal chest x-ray or presents with symptoms consistent with active TB.
Parents/guardians: Inform your child care provider if your child has this illness.
Parents/guardians: Inform your child care provider if your child has this illness.
Disease Information Print out
Disease Information Print out
Tuberculosis.pdf
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