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Tuberculosis
TB is a disease that is spread from person to person through the air. TB ususally affects the lungs. The germs are put into the air when a person with TB coughs, sneezes, laughs, or sings. TB can also affect other parts of the body, such as kidneys, the brain, or the spine.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include feeling weak or sick, weight loss, fever, and/or coughing up blood. Other symptoms depend on the particular part of the body that is affected.
Who gets TB?
Anyone can get TB, but some people are at higher risk. Those at higher risk include:
- People who share breathing space with someone who has TB
- Poor people
- Homeless people
- Foreign-born people from countries where a lot of people have TB
- Nursing home residents
- Prisoners
- Alcoholics and Intravenous drug users (IVDUs)
- People with medical conditions such as diabetes, certain types of concerns, and being underweight; and especially
- People with HIV infection (the virus that causes AIDS)
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How can I tell if I have TB?
First, get a TB skin test. If it is positive, you will probably be given other tests to see if you have TB infection or TB disease.
How is the test given?
A small needle is used to put some testing material, called tuberculin, just under the skin. This usually done inside the arm. The person getting the test must return in 48 to 72 hours to see if there is a reaction to the test. If there is a reaction the size of the reaction is then measured.
Where can I get a test done?
Kennewick Office
Monday,
Wednesday And Friday
8:00 - 11:00
and
1:00 - 4:00 |
Pasco Office
Monday
And Tuesday
8:00 - 11:00
and
1:00 - 4:00 |
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