Tuberculosis
What is TB?
TB is a contagious disease spread from person to person through the air when droplets are coughed up by an infected person diagnosed with pulmonary TB disease. TB is the number one infectious disease cause death surpassing HIV and Aids, with over 4,400 victims each day.
How do I know I have TB?
Common symptoms of TB can be bad coughing for 3 weeks or longer, pain in the chest, coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs), fever, chills, weight loss, and weakness or fatigue.
Why should I test for TB and how do we test?
TB testing should be done on those who travel to countries where it is common, have weak immune system, HIV, or are experiencing any of the symptoms of TB. TB testing can be done via a skin or blood test.
What if my test comes back positive?
If your test comes back positive, there are several treatment regimens to choose from. Treatment options will depend on the form of TB you have, and other perimeters discussed with your primary care doctor. Treating TB is always recommended as it’s essential in controlling TB spread in the United States. Recovery can be lengthy as long as 12 months, but TB is treatable.