Topics A to Z
Hepatitis A Vaccination ordinance
Operation Weather Survival (Hot Weather information)
| About Us | Publications and Documents | Contact Us | Email Us |
|
|
||
|
Tuberculosis Facts
What is Tuberculosis? Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria that are spread from one person to another through the air. It usually affects the lungs, but can also cause infection in other parts of the body. The bacteria are put into the air when a person with TB of the lung or throat coughs, sneezes,laughs or sings. If another person breathes in these bacteria, there is a chance he or she will become infected with tuberculosis. Most infected persons do not develop TB disease. Their body's natural defenses protect them. What is the difference between TB infection and TB disease? Someone with TB infection has the TB bacteria in his or her body, but does not have the disease. The germs are inactive. Those with TB infection do not have symptoms of the disease and cannot spread the TB bacteria to others. These people may, however, develop TB disease later if something happens to weaken their body's natural defenses. Doctors often prescribe medication for those with TB infection to prevent them from coming down with TB disease. People with TB disease are sick and can spread the disease to others. Most people with TB disease have one or more symptoms of TB. These symptoms include feeling weak, weight loss, persistent cough, chest pain, loss of appetite, night sweats, and/or coughing up bloods. Other symptoms can occur if the disease happens on other parts of the body. Persons with TB disease must take medicines that can cure them. How many cases are there? 8 million new cases occur every year in the world 22,000 are reported each year in the United States 10 to 15 million people in the U.S. are estimated to be infected with the TB girm. Should I get a TB skin test each year to check on TB? This should be done only for those who are at high risk for getting TB. High risk categories include:
Some people get skin tests because their jobs require it --(a school or hospital, for example, so they will not infect others if they have TB). If you fall into a high risk category for TB or if you have never had a skin test for TB before, or there is no record of a previous test, you should be tested. If you are unsure, ask your doctor. |
||
|
Back to Health Department Home  Official Web Site of the City of St. Louis
|
||
| This Page Last Modified: 02/22/02 | ||