TB is spread through the air from one person to another. The TB germs are spread into the air when a person with infectious TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these TB germs and become infected.
When a person breathes in TB germs, the TB germs can settle in the lungs and begin to grow. From there, the TB germs can move through the blood to other parts of the body, such as the kidney, spine, or brain.
People with TB disease in the lungs or throat can be infectious, meaning that they can pass TB germs to their family, friends, and others around them.
People with TB disease are most likely to spread TB germs to people they spend time with every day. This includes family members, friends, co-workers, or schoolmates.
People with TB disease need to take several medicines when they start treatment. After taking TB medicine for several weeks, a doctor will be able to tell TB patients when they are no longer able to spread TB germs to others. Most people with TB disease will need to take TB medicine for at least 4 months to be cured.
Symptoms of Active TB:
- Persistent cough lasting 3 or more weeks
- Chest pain
- Coughing up sputum (phlegm) or blood
- Fever, night sweats
- Weakness or fatigue
- Positive TB Blood Test (IGRA) or TB Skin Test
- May have an abnormal chest x-ray, or positive sputum smear or culture
- You are at a high risk of spreading TB germs to others
- You need to seek treatment for TB disease
- Most often, there are no symptoms
- Will have a positive TB Blood Test (IGRA) or TB Skin Test
- Has normal chest x-ray and negative sputum smear
- Cannot spread the germs to others
- You are at risk of developing TB disease and should consider treatment for LTBI to prevent TB disease
- LTBI means you have TB bacteria in your body, but you feel fine. Without treatment, it can turn into active TB disease
- You can only know your status by getting a TB test
- If you have latent TB infection, it is very important that you get treated
To protect our community’s health and prevent active tuberculosis, San Joaquin County Public Health Services is reaching out to individuals who recently tested positive for Latent TB Infection (LTBI).
Clicking on the link in your text message will take you to a confidential survey
If you have questions about this LTBI message, please call us at (209) 468-3400.
If you have any questions regarding your recent TB tests or results, please contact your primary care provider.