Tuberculosis Control Program

Goal: To eliminate tuberculosis disease in our community

Strategies:

• Early identification of TB disease

• Appropriate disease treatment

• Minimize number of new infections

• Provide preventive treatment to infected individuals

Services:

• Tuberculosis (TB) skin testing using PPD to identify infection caused by exposure to TB germ which is spread through the air

• Chest X-ray referrals to rule out active TB

• Screening for TB for employment

• Clinical evaluation and TB medications

• Contact investigations, case follow-up, and home visits to assure adequate treatment to prevent community outbreaks

A Quick Guide to TB
TB Infection Verses TB Disease (in the lungs)

TB Infection	TB Disease
Tubercle bacilli in the body	Tubercle bacilli in the body
Tuberculin skin test reaction usually positive	Tuberculin skin test reaction usually positive
Chest x-ray usually normal	Chest x-ray usually abnormal
Sputum smears and cultures negative	Sputum smears and cultures positive
No symptoms	Symptoms such as cough, fever, weight loss
Not infectious	Often infectious before treatment
Not a case of TB	A case of TB
Preventive treatment optional/may be recommended	Treatment mandated by law

Additional Resources

National Center for TB Prevention
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
CDC National Prevention Information Network
North Carolina TB Control Program