What is Tuberculosis (TB)?
- Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but can also attack any part of the body such as the spine, kidney, and brain
- Tuberculosis is curable.
How does TB spread?
- TB is usually spread through the air from one person to another
- When a person with TB Disease in their lungs or throat coughs, speaks, laughs, or sings, TB bacteria can get into the air. Once TB is in the air, people nearby can breathe it into their lungs and become infected.
- TB is usually only spread to others when it is in the lungs and throat. TB in other parts of the body, such as the kidney or spine, cannot be spread to others.
- People with TB disease are most likely to spread it to people they spend time with every day.
TB is NOT spread by:
- shaking someone’s hand
- sharing food or drink
- touching bed linens or toilet seats
- sharing toothbrushes
- kissing
Types of TB:
- Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. As a result, two types of TB- conditions exist: TB infection and TB disease.
What is TB infection?
- When someone breathes in the TB bacteria, their body usually starts fighting it and wins. The bacteria still exist in these people, but it doesn't make them sick.
- Also called “sleeping TB”
- The main problem with TB Infection is that it can become TB Disease at any time if not treated.
- With TB Infection, a person does not feel sick, does not have symptoms, and cannot spread TB bacteria to others, until it becomes TB Disease.
What is TB disease?
- If someone has TB bacteria in their body and their body can’t fight it, then it becomes TB Disease
- Once a person has TB disease in the lungs, they become sick and can spread TB to others
- This can happen right after breathing in the TB bacteria or years later.
- If not treated properly, TB disease can make you very sick and be deadly.
- Also called “active TB”
Symptoms of TB
Symptoms of TB disease depend on where in the body the TB bacteria are growing. TB bacteria usually grow in the lungs (pulmonary TB). They can begin slowly and worsen over time.
Common symptoms of Pulmonary (lung) TB include:
- a bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer
- fever
- sweating at night
- coughing up blood
- weight loss that cannot be explained
Who is at risk for TB?
Some people have a higher chance of developing TB Disease, especially those with a weak immune system. Some examples include:
- Close contacts of a person with TB disease of the lungs and throat
- People with TB infection who were not treated or treated correctly
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Young children and the elderly
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People with chronic health problems such as HIV infection, cancer, severe kidney disease, and diabetes, and those who take medicine to lower their ability to fight infection
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People who have lived in homeless shelters, and correctional facilities
Treatment for TB Infection (sleeping TB) and TB Disease (active TB)
TB can be treated with medicines.
If you find out that you have TB Infection or TB Disease, you may have many questions and may be worried. It's important to know that it's not your fault and you're not alone. Your healthcare provider will help determine your best care and support.
TB Infection (sleeping TB)
- If you have TB infection) sleeping TB), taking medicine is the best way to protect you from getting sick with TB disease (active TB)
- Usually needs to be taken for about 4 months.
- The main problem with TB Infection (sleeping TB) if not treated is that it can wake up and make you sick at any time of your life.
- It is highly recommended to be treated for TB infection, even if you don’t feel sick at the moment. This will help protect future generations of TB disease.; a healthcare provider will help you make decisions related to your care.
TB Disease (active TB)
- You will need a combination of medicines (at least 4 kinds) to be treated.
- The medicines must be taken for at least 6 to 9 months. It is important to take and finish all your medicines as directed by your doctor or nurse.
- TB Disease treatment is mandatory, you will be followed and supported by healthcare providers throughout your treatment.
How to stop TB from spreading and protect our community?
Visit your doctor or nurse for a check-up if you have symptoms of TB disease or want to know if you have a TB infection. We can help you.
The earlier the better. Knowing that you have TB and treating TB as early as possible can help stop the spread to others and improve your chances of healing.
If given medicines to prevent or treat TB, you should finish all your medicines as directed by your doctor or nurse
We can prevent TB disease and stop the spread of TB bacteria by killing them before they cause illness before they wake up.
Get tested. Get treated.
What to Expect with TB Testing
The TB skin test (TST) is the main test done to detect TB bacteria in Eeyou Istchee.
TB skin test (TST)
The tuberculin skin test shows whether or not you have the TB bacteria in your body. It is the most common test used for TB. The test cannot tell the difference between TB Infection and TB Disease. This is a two-part test with two appointments 48 to 72 hours apart.
