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Health Topics > Tuberculosis (TB)
Tuberculosis (TB)What is Tuberculosis (TB)?TB is transmitted from person to person through the air when a patient with active TB disease coughs, sneezes or speaks. Because it is air-borne, it is especially important for those living in or traveling to a TB risk area to be aware that they are at risk for the disease, to know the symptoms of TB and to be tested, if they think they have been exposed. Most people who are infected with the TB germ do not have the active form of the disease. They have no symptoms and are not infectious. However, they carry the germ, which may grow and lead to the active, infectious disease at some time in the future. What are the symptoms?Symptoms of TB disease typically include a cough, lasting more than three weeks, accompanied by unintentional weight loss of at least 10 pounds, fevers and night sweats. Health officials say it is essential for anyone with TB symptoms to consult a health care provider to find out if they have the active disease. How do you know if you have TB?TB infection can be diagnosed with a simple skin test, called a PPD. If the test is positive, a chest x-ray is needed to rule out disease. If a person is infected and without disease, a single medication, called INH, can be taken for six to nine months to prevent TB infection from becoming active disease. See Tuberculosis fact sheet for further information.
Content provided by the Public Health Division of Contra Costa Health Services.
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