Tuberculosis is a disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is a bacterium. While TB can affect the lungs, it also affects other parts and systems of the body. Tuberculosis is epidemic in many areas of the world. Since TB is an infectious disease, there are different precautions that one must be aware of to prevent the spread of TB.
Transmission
TB is spread by respiratory droplets that spread from one person to another in the air, which means an infected person can spread it by coughing or sneezing. Tuberculosis cannot be spread through shaking hands, touching bed linens or sharing food or drink.
Latent vs. Active Tuberculosis
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention distinguishes between active and latent TB. Some persons get exposed to TB and develop latent tuberculosis. This is when the body is able to stop the bacteria from developing after being exposed. Persons with latent TB are at risk for developing active TB in the future. This is when the immune system cannot stop the bacteria from developing. Some persons with latent TB never develop active tuberculosis.
Health Care Settings
Since health care settings such as hospitals deal with persons who may have active TB, they have policies for detection, treatment and prevention of TB transmission. Protocols in health care settings should cover an infection control plan that includes airborne precautions, personal protective equipment, work practices, disinfection practices and education of health care workers. In addition, environmental controls, which may include special ventilation and exhaust measures, are used to prevent the spread in health care settings.
Precautions for Persons With Latent Infection
There are certain high-risk groups--persons with a weak immune system or persons who became infected with TB within the past two years--that may need to take medicine for latent TB infection. Latent tuberculosis is easier to treat, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This treatment prevents the progression to active tuberculosis, which is much more difficult to treat and can be deadly.
Precautions for Travelers
Persons traveling overseas should be aware of whether they are going to a place where TB is epidemic. If this is the case, they should avoid close contact with persons who have tuberculosis. If they are health care workers, they should discuss with the health care administrators protocols and infection control plans for prevention of TB transmission. Prior to traveling, a tuberculin skin test should be done to test for previous exposure to tuberculosis. Eight to 10 weeks after returning, another tuberculin skin test should be done to determine whether exposure occurred during travel, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If the tuberculin skin test is positive, a chest X-ray and medication treatment for latent TB may be options discussed by the evaluating physician.
