Pulmonary tuberculosis Health Article

Prevention

TB is a preventable disease, even in those who have been exposed to an infected person. Skin testing (PPD) for TB is used in high risk populations or in individuals who may have been exposed to TB, such as health care workers.

A positive skin test indicates prior TB exposure. Preventive therapy should be discussed with your doctor. Individuals exposed to tuberculosis should be skin tested immediately and a follow-up test should be done at a later date, if the initial test is negative.

Prompt treatment is extremely important in controlling the spread of tuberculosis for those who have already progressed to active TB disease.

A BCG vaccination to prevent TB is given in some countries with a high incidence of TB, but its effectiveness remains controversial. It is not routinely used in the United States. People who have had BCG may still be skin tested for TB and results of testing (if positive) discussed with one's doctor.

References

Ferrara G, Losi M, Meacci M, et al. Routine Hospital Use of a New Commercial Whole Blood Interferon-(gamma) Assay for the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis Infection. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2005 Sep 1;172(5):631-5. Epub 2005 Jun 16.

US Centers for Disease Control. Treatment of Tuberculosis. MMWR 2003; 52.

Diagnostic Standards: Classification of TB in Adults and Children. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2000; 161.