Protecting Against TB
Tuberculosis (TB) is a preventable and treatable disease that most often affects the lungs and can spread through the air when a person with active TB disease coughs or sneezes.
Branch-Hillsdale-St.Joseph Community Health Agency provides TB testing, case management, education, and treatment support to help prevent the spread of disease and protect the health of our communities. Our team works closely with healthcare providers and individuals to ensure timely diagnosis, appropriate care, and ongoing support throughout treatment.
Tuberculosis
- TB is a disease caused by germs that are spread from person to person through the air. TB usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys, or the spine.
- TB is spread through the air when a person with active TB disease coughs, sneezes, talks, or sings.
- While TB is contagious, it’s not as easily spread as other illnesses, such as the flu or cold. People cannot get TB from shaking someone’s hand, sharing food or drink, sharing toothbrushes or school supplies, kissing, or touching bed linens or toilet seats.
What are the symptoms of Tuberculosis?
TB of the lungs may include a cough, chest pain, or coughing up blood. The general symptoms of TB disease include feeling sick or weak, weight loss, fever, chills, and night sweats.
What is the difference between latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease?
Persons with latent TB infection:
- Have no symptoms and do not feel sick
- Cannot spread TB to others
- Usually have a positive IGRA or TST
- Normal chest x-ray
Persons with active TB disease:
- May have symptoms that include prolonged cough, chills/fever, unexplained weight loss, chest pain, weakness, and night sweats
- May spread TB to others
- Usually have a positive IGRA or TST
- Often have an abnormal chest x-ray
How to screen for TB
To determine if a person has been exposed to TB, a tuberculin skin test (TST) or an Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) blood test is conducted, along with a questionnaire.
For the TST, a small amount of solution is injected under the skin on the forearm, and 48 to 72 hours later, a health care worker checks for a reaction on the arm. For the IGRA, a single blood draw is needed, and the results are generally available within a week.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the public health nurse team at epihelp@bhsj.org or 517-279-9561 ext. 123.
Where can I get a TB Test?
We offer TB skin tests at all of our locations. You will need to call for two appointments. The first appointment is to get the skin test. The second appointment is required to read the results of the skin test. The second appointment will be scheduled 2-3 days after the first appointment. If you are unable to make it to the second appointment, the testing would start over. Please contact your local office at:
Branch County: 517-279-9561 ext. 100
Hillsdale County: 517-437-7395 ext. 336
St. Joseph County: 269-273-2161 ext. 208
Resources
• Tuberculosis Fact Sheet (English)
• Tuberculosis Fact Sheet (Spanish)
• Tuberculosis Fact Sheet (Haitian Creole)
• Tuberculosis Fact Sheet (Arabic)
• Signs & Symptoms
• TB Testing Fact Sheet (English)
• TB Testing Fact Sheet (Spanish)
• TB Testing Fact Sheet (Haitian Creole)
• TB Testing Fact Sheet (Arabic)