TUBERCULOSIS FACTS

What is TB?

"TB" is short for a disease called tuberculosis. TB is spread by tiny germs than can float in the air. The TB germs may spray into the air if a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, shouts, or sneezes. Anyone nearby can breathe TB germs into their lungs.

TB germs can live in your body without making you sick. This is called TB infection. Your immune system traps TB germs with special germ fighters. Your germ fighters keep TB germs from making you sick.

But sometimes, the TB germs can break away. Then they cause TB disease. The germs can attack the lungs or other parts of the body. They can go to the kidneys, the brain, or the spine. If people have TB disease, they need medical help. If they don't get help, they can die.

How do I know if I have TB infection?

A skin test is the only way to tell if you have TB infection. The test is "positive" if a bump about the size of a pencil eraser or bigger appears on your arm. This bump means you probably have TB infection.

If you are infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, your body may not react to a TB skin test. The health worker may give you other tests.

What should I do if I have TB infection?

If you have TB infection, you cay need treatment so you will not get TB disease later. This is called "preventive" treatment. Isoniazid (INH) is the anti-TB drug used most often.

Unless you get preventive treatment, TB infection can turn into TB disease. Those who are more likely to get sick from TB disease include:

• alcoholics or injection drug users;
• people with certain medical conditions such as diabetes, certain types of cancers and being underweight;
  and especially
• people with HIV infection (the virus that causes AIDS).

These things make your body weaker. When your body is weaker, it can't fight TB germs any more.

It is very important that you take your preventive treatment as your doctor recommends. It takes at least six months to a year to kill all the TB germs. Remember, you will always have TB germs in your body unless you kill them with the right medicine.

What if I'm released before I finish my medication?

Ask a health worker where you should go to get the rest of your medicine. The local health department or your doctor outside will make sure you get the medicine you need. Protect your family and friends from TB --take all your anti-TB drugs!

This information taken from a flyer from the: