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Center for Specialized Pulmonary Services
What
is Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis (TB) disease is caused by the bacteria
called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria can attack any part of
your body, but it usually affects the lungs.
How does someone get TB?
TB is spread from person to person through the air. The
bacteria are passed into the air when a person with TB disease coughs or
sneezes. People can breathe in these bacteria and become infected.
How do I know
if I have it?
Symptoms of TB Disease: include cough, night
sweats, and weight loss usually lasting longer than 2-3 weeks. Some
individuals with active disease will have minimal or no symptoms.
Tuberculin skin testing: a small amount of test
solution is injected into the skin.
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This skin test site is checked between 48-72 hours later for a
positive reaction known as "induration".
The induration is measured to
determine if it is a positive or negative test.
Chest X-ray: is used to
check for active disease in the lungs. (see abnormal chest x-ray below)
Sputum
collection: a sample of secretions produced by a cough can be sent to
the laboratory for analysis.
They told me I was
infected but I do not have the disease. What is the difference?
Latent TB Infection:
is when a person has been
infected and has the potential to develop TB disease but is not
currently ill.
TB Disease: is when a person has been infected and
damage is occurring as a result of TB infection that has overwhelmed
the body's defenses which can make the individual ill.
Is there treatment for TB?
Both TB infection and TB disease are
treated with specific medications.
Who
is most at risk for TB?
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Persons with recent exposure to an active TB case
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Small children and the elderly
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Persons with HIV/AIDS
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Diabetics
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Persons who take medications that effect their immune system such as steroids or chemotherapy agents
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Persons with certain cancers
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Persons who have weak immune systems due to substance abuse
Duval County Health Department
Main Office
515 W. 6th Street
Jacksonville, FL 32206
253-1000
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