What You Should Know About

1. What You Should Know About TB

2. Tuberculosis: Not Just a Disease from the Past

3. What is TB (Tuberculosis)? • A disease caused by bacteria • Usually affects the lungs

4. What is TB (Tuberculosis)? • Spread in the air • Can be cured with medicine

5. Latent TB Infection TB Disease There are 2 types of TB

6. Latent TB Infection TB Disease Both of these conditions are treatable and curable

7. Latent TB Infection • You have breathed in TB germs • You feel fine, and are not sick • You cannot spread TB germs to others

8. Latent TB Infection A person with latent TB infection: • Has a positive skin test • Has a normalchest x-ray

9. Latent TB Infection TB germs can stay in your body without making you sick Your body’s defenses are able to keep the germs from hurting you D TB

10. There are 10 to 15 million people in the United States with TB infection latent

11. TB Infection/Positive Skin Test is Very Common… About 1 out of every 3 people in the world is infected with TB germs

12. Inactive TB germs can't hurt you now...

13. ...but when body defenses are weakened, inactive TB germs become active and break out

14. HIV and Latent TB Infection Latent TB + HIV= very high risk for TB Disease

15. The risk of getting TB Disease is 800 times greater for a person with HIV infection

16. Who Should Get a TB Skin Test? • Everyone should have a TB skin test at least once • You should also be tested if there is any chance you have been around a person who has TB disease or if someone in your family has TB disease

17. If You Have HIV Infection Get tested for TB atleast once a year

18. You Should be Tested if You… • have diabetes • have certain lung diseases • are undergoing treatment with drugs that affect the body’s immune system

19. You Should be Tested if You… • are from a country where TB disease is very common • do not get regular medical care, especially if you live in a low-income community or are homeless • work in or are a resident of a long-term care facility such as a nursing home • work in or have served time in a prison

20. You Should be Tested if You… • are underweight • are an alcoholic or you use illegal drugs • are a healthcare worker

21. TB Skin Test A skin test is an easy way to tell if you have TB infection

22. TB Skin Test • Two or three days after your skin test, a healthcare worker will need to check to see if there is a reaction to the test • The healthcare worker will look for and measure any bump that may appear at the place on your arm where the test was given

23. When You Have TB Disease • You have a positive skin test • You have a bad chest x-ray • You feel sick • You can spread TB germs to others

24. TB Disease TB disease can be cured with medicine!!

25. How TB Germs are Spread When a person with TB disease • Coughs • Sneezes • Shouts • Sings They send TB germs into the air

26. You Get TB From: • Being in very close contact with someone who is sick with TB disease

27. Remember! You cannot get TB from someone with latent TB infection!!

28. TB Germs are NOT Spread by Sharing: • Spoons and forks • Drinking glasses • Bathrooms

29. TB germs are NOT spread by handling: • Bedding • Trash • Clothes or towels • Food

30. TB Prevention & Protection 6 tips for you and your family

31. Persistent Cough Constant tiredness Weight loss Night sweats Loss of appetite Fever Chest pain Spitting up blood 1. Know the Signs and Symptoms of TB Disease

32. HIV infection Substance abuse Recent TB infection Diabetes Low body weight Cancer of head and neck 2. Know Risk Factors forTB Disease

33. 3. TB Chest X-ray: • If you have a positive skin test (TB infection), get a chest x-ray and make sure you do not have TB disease

34. 4. Treatment for Latent TB Infection (Preventive) • If you have a positive skin test(latent TB infection)a doctor can give you medicine to prevent you from gettingTB Diseasein the future

35. TB Why Take My Medications? • TB can kill you • Taking your medicine can save your life! • You will probably feel better after the first few weeks of treatment, but you must KEEP taking your medicine until your doctor tells you to stop

36. TB Why Take My Medications? • TB can Kill you! If you stop taking your medicine too soon, the TB can come back; it can make you very sick • Taking your medicine can keep you from spreading TB to your family, friends and others you have close contact with

37. How Long Do I Have to Take Medicine? • Most people with TB have to take medicine regularly for at least 6 months or even longer • Your doctor will tell you when to stop

38. TB If You Stop the Medicine • If you stop taking the medicine, the germs will come back • These germs will be even stronger • Medication may not work on these stronger germs

39. 5. Fresh Air is Best • TB cannot spread in fresh air • Open windows or use fans to circulate air

40. 6. Live Healthy: • Eat right • Get enough sleep • Keep your immune system strong

41. Remember! Only people who are sick with TB disease can spread TB TB is a disease that can be prevented and cured

42. Where to Get Tested Sedgwick County Health Department Tuberculosis Skin Testing, Diagnosis and Treatment 660-7300

43. Developed by Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Division: Sedgwick County Health Department

44. Resources • Facts About the TB Skin Test, American Lung Association, 2/95 • Tuberculosis Fact Sheet, American Lung Association, November 2003 • Tuberculosis: General Information, CDC, Division of Tuberculosis Elimination, August 5, 1999