Tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculosis (TB) is a fully treatable and preventable disease which is transmitted through the air. TB can be fatal if left untreated. Tuberculosis (TB) cases have been increasing in some areas of the U.S., highlighting the importance of awareness, testing, and treatment. While TB is preventable and curable, it remains a public health concern, especially for people with weakened immune systems or those in high-risk environments.

What is TB?

TB is a disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs but can also impact other parts of the body. TB spreads through the air when a person with active TB disease coughs, speaks, or sneezes.

Signs & Symptoms

TB infection can be latent (no symptoms, not contagious) or active (symptoms present, contagious).

Symptoms of active TB disease include:

• Persistent cough (lasting three weeks or more)
• Fever, chills, or night sweats
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Coughing up blood

Understanding Inactive (Latent) TB vs. Active TB

Who is at Risk?

Certain individuals are at a higher risk of developing TB, including:

• Close contacts of people with active TB
• Individuals with weakened immune systems (e.g., HIV, diabetes, cancer)
• People who have traveled or lived in countries where TB is common
• Those who work or live in high-risk environments

High-Risk Environments for TB Transmission

TB spreads more easily in crowded or enclosed spaces with poor ventilation, increasing the risk for people in the following environments:

🏥 Healthcare settings: Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers who care for TB patients may be at higher risk, especially if infection control measures are not followed.

🏢 Long-term care facilities: Nursing homes, assisted living centers, and other residential healthcare settings can have a higher risk of TB transmission due to close living quarters.

🚨 Correctional facilities: Jails and prisons can be hotspots for TB due to overcrowding, limited access to medical care, and frequent movement of individuals.

🏠 Shelters: People experiencing homelessness often live in crowded conditions and may have limited access to healthcare, increasing their risk of both infection and severe TB disease.

🛠️ Workplaces with poor ventilation: Some workplaces, such as factories, warehouses, and construction sites, may have limited airflow, increasing the likelihood of TB transmission.

🛬 Refugee camps and migrant housing: People in temporary housing or shelters such as refugee camps, migrant worker housing, or disaster relief centers may have higher TB exposure due to crowded living conditions and limited healthcare access.

Prevention & Testing

🩺 Testing: A Tuberculin Skin Test or Quantiferon-TB Gold Plus blood test can detect TB infection. If positive, additional testing may be needed to determine if the infection is latent or active.

💊 Treatment: TB can be cured with antibiotics, but treatment must be completed to prevent drug resistance.
😷 Prevention: If you are at risk or have been exposed, testing and early treatment are key. People with active TB should stay home and wear a mask to prevent spread.

What Can You Do?

• Get tested if you are at risk or experience symptoms
• Complete your TB treatment if prescribed
• Contact your local health department for information about TB screening and resources

Ledge Light Health District works with the Connecticut Department of Public Health Tuberculosis Control Program to prevent transmission of TB. If you would like more information, please contact Mary Day, Supervisor, Communicable Disease Prevention.