What if the test is negative?

A negative test usually means the person is
not infected. However, the test may be falsely
negative in a person who has been recently
infected. It usually takes 2 to 10 weeks after
exposure to a person with TB disease for the
skin test to react positive. The test may also be
falsely negative if the person's immune system
is not working properly,

What if the test is positive?

A positive reaction usually means that the
person has been infected with the TB germ. It
does not necessarily mean that the person
has TB disease. Other tests, such as an x-ray
or sputum sample, are needed to see if the
person has TB disease.

What should I do if I have TB
infection or disease?

Get required follow up tests. Follow your
doctor's advice and take the medicine as pre-
scribed, Today, TB is easily prevented and
cured with medication.



These people are often capable of giving the
infection to others. Permanent body damage
and death can result from this disease. Medi-
cines which can cure TB are prescribed for
these people.

People with TB infection (without disease)
have the germ that causes TB in their body.
They are not sick because the germ lies inac-
tive in their body. They cannot spread the
germ to others. However, these people may
develop TB disease in the future, especially if
they are in one of the high risk groups listed
under “Who gets TB?” Medicine is often pre-
scribed for these people to prevent them from
developing TB disease.

Where can I get a TB skin test?
You can get a TB skin test from your doctor
or local health department.

How is the skin test given?

A small needle is used to put some testing
material, called tuberculin, just under the skin.
This is usually done on the inside of the arm.
The person getting the test must return in 48
to 72 hours to see if there is a reaction to the
test. If there is a reaction, the size of the reac-
tion is measured.



For Additional Information,
Call Your Local Health
Department

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Prevention Services
Division of Tuberculosis Elimination
Atlanta, Georgia 30333


Tuberculosis

Get the
Facts

U.S.DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

rr: Public Health Service
\
SS



Tuberculosis:
Get the Facts!

What is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that is spread
from person to person through the air. TB
usually affects the lungs. The germs are put
into the air when a person with TB of the lung
coughs, sneezes, laughs, or sings. TB can also
affect other parts of the body, such as the
brain, the kidneys, or the spine.

What are the symptoms of TB?

General symptoms may include feeling
weak or sick, weight loss, fever, and/or night
sweats. Symptoms of TB of the lungs may
include cough, chest pain, and/or coughing up
blood. Other symptoms depend on the partic-
ular part of the body that is affected.


No one gets TB anymore, do they?

YES! About 8 million new cases occur each
year in the world; over 22,000 cases are re-
ported each year in the United States. There
are also an estimated 10 to 15 million people
in the U.S. who are infected with the TB
germ, with potential to develop TB disease in
the future.

Who gets TB?

Anyone can get TB, but some people are at
higher risk. Those at higher risk include:

* people who share the same breathing space
{such as family members, friends, coworkers)
with someone who has TB disease;

* poor people;

* homeless people;

* foreign-borm people from countries where a
lot of people have TB;

* nursing home residents;

* prisoners;

* alcoholics and intravenous drug users
(IVDUs);

* people with medical conditions such as dia-
betes, certain types of cancers, and being
underweight; and especially

* people with HIV infection (the virus that
causes AIDS).

How can I tell if I have TB?

First, get a TB skin test. Hf it is positive, you
will probably be given other tests to see if you
have TB infection or TB disease.

What is the difference between TB
infection and TB disease?

People with TB disease are sick from
germs that are active in their body. They usu-
ally have one or more of the symptoms of TB.