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Tuberculosis (TB) Facts - You Can Prevent TB

Using a question and answer format, this fact sheet provides general information on TB prevention. It discusses TB transmission, infection, disease, diagnosis through a skin test or a special TB blood test, and treatment. It explains that TB is spread by germs that are in the air after someone with TB disease sneezes, coughs, speaks, laughs, or sings. TB germs can live in the body without making the individual sick. This is called latent TB infection. If the germs become active, they cause TB disease. An individual who has been exposed to TB germs will be given a TB skin test.

Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR TB)

This information sheet discusses multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB), a strain of TB that is resistant to at least two of the best anti-TB drugs, isoniazid and rifampicin. It describes TB disease, MDR TB, extensively drug resistant TB (XDR TB), TB transmission, how drug resistance happens, and who is at risk for getting MDR TB. The information sheet also explains how MDR TB can be prevented, TB vaccine, the symptoms of TB disease, and what an individual should do after being exposed to someone with TB.

Infection Control in Health-Care Settings

This information sheet discusses infection control measures for health care settings to ensure prompt detection, take airborne precautions, and treat persons with suspected or diagnosed tuberculosis infection. It suggests that policies and procedures for TB control should be developed, reviewed periodically, and evaluated to minimize transmission risk.

Tuberculosis Information for International Travelers

This information sheet discusses TB and the risk for international travelers. It explains TB transmission, multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains of the disease, and how drug resistance occurs. The information sheet considers whether international travelers are at risk of MDR or XDR TB while traveling, the risk of acquiring TB on an airplane, how TB can be prevented, TB vaccine, and what an individual should do before traveling internationally and if an individual thinks that he/she may have been exposed to someone with TB disease.

Eliminacion de la TB: Informacion Sobre la Tuberculosis Para los Viajeros Internacionales

This information sheet discusses TB and the risk for international travelers. It explains TB transmission, multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains of the disease, and how drug resistance occurs. The information sheet considers whether international travelers are at risk of MDR or XDR TB while traveling, the risk of acquiring TB on an airplane, how TB can be prevented, TB vaccine, and what an individual should do before traveling internationally and if an individual thinks that he/she may have been exposed to someone with TB disease.

Tuberculosis Information for Employers in Non-Healthcare Settings

This information sheet explains TB for employers in non-healthcare settings. It describes TB disease, latent TB infection (LTBI), active TB, how it is determined whether a patient has active TB or LTBI, the symptoms of TB, what one should do if an employee reports having positive TB or has been in contact with someone with TB, and what happens after the employer contacts the local or state TB program.