TUBERCULOSIS (TB)

What Is TB?

TB [tuberculosis] is a bacterial disease that most often infects the lungs. It dates back to Biblical days. TB is spread through droplet infection -- germs are spread through the air via laughing, coughing, or sneezing. A person who develops TB may become very ill, however with proper treatment TB is nearly always curable.

Services Available from the Health Department / Health Center

Globally, at least one person is infected with TB per second, and someone dies of TB every 10 seconds. The Health Department / Health Center's TB Program wants to help reverse that. Skin testing for TB, chest x-rays, medication for TB disease or infection, and directly observed therapy, a program designed to ensure infected persons take their prescribed medication are provided.

Signs and Symptoms of TB

These are the classic symptoms:

• significant weight loss
• night sweats
• cough
• fever
• shortness of breath
• positive skin test

TB Skin Tests

Anyone can be tested, including adults, children, pregnant women, people with a cold, and those who have had Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) Vaccine.

Skin tests cost $13 and are given at either Brooksville or Spring Hill offices, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm. After being tested you must return for a reading in 48 to 72 hours. The skin test will be read by a nurse and, if indicated, a referral will be made.

TB Infection

If someone's skin test is positive but the chest x-ray is negative, the person is said to be TB-infected -- but not considered to be contagious. Based upon the patient's age and risk factors, our TB doctor will order the appropriate medication.

TB Disease

TB is treated with a number of special antibiotics administered over six to nine months. The TB germs are strong and slow to be killed.

To be treated your private physician must submit a referral and orders. The TB Program staff will order your medications, provide x-rays as needed and perform monthly blood and vision testing.

It's important for TB patients to follow the medication schedule. Failure to follow a regularly observed medication regimen can cause a more serious drug-resistant TB.

More Information

• Health Department / Health Center TB Program - (352) 540-6800 x82178
• Florida Hot Line - (800) 4TB-INFO (482-4636)

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