TB is widespread worldwide.
You have a higher risk of contracting TB germs if you were born in or frequently visit nations where tuberculosis is prevalent, such as those nations in Asia, Africa, or Latin America. Even if you have lived in the United States for a long time, you could still be at risk.
The TB germs do not always cause illness in the body. We refer to this as latent TB infection, or dormant TB. Although they may not have active TB disease, people with inactive TB are contaminated with the TB bacteria. They are asymptomatic, do not experience any symptoms, and are unable to infect others with TB.
Inactive TB patients can become ill at any time and acquire active TB disease if they are not treated.
If the immune system is unable to block the growth of TB bacteria, they become active. Active TB disease is the state in which tuberculosis germs are proliferating throughout your body. Individuals who have active tuberculosis are ill. Additionally, they could be able to infect those they interact with on a daily basis. Active tuberculosis disease can be lethal if left untreated.
Some people believe they are immune to tuberculosis because they underwent screening during their immigration process to the United States. Exams for immigration, however, primarily check for active tuberculosis.
If you had the TB vaccination
A vaccination against tuberculosis is called Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG). In the US, the vaccination is not widely administered. It is administered to newborns and young children in nations where tuberculosis is prevalent. It keeps kids safe from developing serious cases of active tuberculosis, like TB meningitis.
If you have had the TB vaccine, let your doctor know. This is especially important if you are being tested for TB infection, as the vaccine can result in a false positive skin test result. For those who have received the BCG TB vaccine, TB blood tests are the recommended diagnostics.
Locations where there is a higher chance
If you were born in a country where tuberculosis is common, such as several countries in Asia, Africa, or Latin America, or if you go there frequently, you have a higher chance of contracting the disease.
Visitors
Spending time with someone who has active tuberculosis should be avoided when travelling. Also, you should stay away from congested areas where tuberculosis is known to spread, such as:
Prisons, jails, homeless shelters, nursing homes, and hospitals.
There is extremely little possibility that a traveller will come into contact with TB germs when flying.
Avoidance
Individuals who were born in or regularly visit nations where tuberculosis is prevalent
See your doctor about being tested if you were born in a country where tuberculosis is common or if you go there often.
The best defence against contracting active TB disease is to treat any inactive TB you may have.
You can receive medication treatment if you have active tuberculosis. It is imperative that you take all of your tuberculosis medication as prescribed by your physician. This is to keep other people from getting sick and to assist you in feeling better.
Visitors who intend to work in medical environments
Speak with occupational health or infection control specialists if you are planning to work in a clinic, hospital, or other healthcare facility where patients with active tuberculosis are likely to be present.
Get a TB blood test or a TB skin test before departing the country if you believe you might spend a lot of time with someone who has the disease.
Retake the test eight to ten weeks after coming back to the US if the response is negative.
People who anticipate repeated or sustained exposure or a protracted stay over a number of years may benefit from annual testing.
Speak with your healthcare practitioner if you have HIV.
Individuals living with HIV are more likely to respond to TB testing less well.
Materials
Examine. Treat. Contemplate.
The “Think. Test. Treat TB.” initiative from the CDC promotes TB preventive awareness.
19 Mar. 2023
Information and Quantities
The TB Data & Statistics homepage. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided this information.
27 March 2024
tuberculosis
Information regarding tuberculosis in the domestic medical examination of recently arrived refugees.