Health & Human services

Tuberculosis (TB) FAQ

• What is TB?

  Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by germs that are spread from person to person through the air. TB usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys, or the spine. A person with TB can die if they do not get treatment. 

• How does TB spread?

  TB germs are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. These germs can stay in the air for several hours, depending on the environment. Persons who breathe in the air containing these TB germs can become infected; this is called latent TB infection. 

• What are the symptoms of TB Disease?

  Some people develop TB disease within weeks after being exposed and infected, other people may get sick years later. People who have active TB can become sick, spread the disease, and show symptoms. These symptoms of TB disease in the lungs can include:  
  
  - Coughing (lasting 3 or more weeks) 
  - Chest pain 
  - Coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from lungs)  
  - Weakness/Fatigue  
  - Weight loss  
  - No appetite 
  - Chills  
  - Fever  
  - Night sweats  

  People who have latent TB infection do not have any symptoms and cannot spread TB to others. About 5-10% of people with latent TB will develop TB disease sometime during their life if they do not receive treatment. 

• What can I do if I'm symptomatic?

  Get Tested 
  - If you think you might have TB, it's crucial to see a doctor as soon as possible. 
  - If you do not feel sick, you may still get latent (or hidden) TB. A simple blood test will tell you if you have TB in your body. 
  
  If Positive, Take Medication
  - Take the prescribed medicine to protect yourself and your loved ones from getting TB. Without treatment, you are at risk of developing TB disease, a serious illness.

• How Do I Get Tested For TB?

  There are tests that can be used to help detect TB infection: a skin test or TB blood tests. The Mantoux tuberculin skin test is performed by injecting a small amount of fluid (called tuberculin) into the skin in the lower part of the arm. A person given the tuberculin skin test must return within 48 to 72 hours to have a trained health care worker look for a reaction on the arm. The TB blood tests measures how the patient’s immune system reacts to the germs that cause TB. 

  We offer routine TB skin test and chest x-rays for school and employment. Please call the Immunization Clinic at (562) 570-4315 for an appointment. 
  
  If you think you have TB, see your healthcare provider for testing.

• What is Latent TB Infection?

  What is it? 
  - Some people have TB germs in their bodies, but they're not sick because the germs aren't active. 

  Are there Symptoms? 
  - There are no symptoms and you can’t spread the germs to others, but there is a possibility to get sick later. 

  What is the Treatment? 
  - Medicine can be prescribed to prevent TB disease. You don’t need a TB test if you’ve been around someone with latent TB infection. 

• What is the Treatment for TB Disease?

  TB disease can be treated by taking several drugs for 6 to 12 months. It is very important that people who have TB disease finish the medicine, and take the drugs exactly as prescribed. If they stop taking the drugs too soon, they can become sick again; if they do not take the drugs correctly, the germs that are still alive may become resistant to those drugs. TB that is resistant to drugs is harder and more expensive to treat.