Tuberculosis (TB)

FAQs for Contacts

1. What is TB? Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection mostly found in the lungs but which can affect any part of the body such as the brain, lymph glands and bones. 2. Is TB treatable? TB is treatable and can be cured with a course of special antibiotics. 3. What are the symptoms of TB disease? TB symptoms can include one or more of the following: Persistent cough lasting two weeks or more Coughing up blood Unexplained weight loss Fever and night sweats If you develop any of these symptoms you should seek medical advice from your GP in the usual way. 4. How do you catch TB? You usually need close and prolonged contact with someone who has TB to be at risk of being infected. TB is usually caught from someone who has TB of the lung when that person coughs or sneezes. There is no risk of catching TB by coming into contact with surfaces or other objects in the work or school environment. 5. Why do you offer TB screening? When you have been in close contact with a person who has TB, you may need to be screened to find out whether you have been infected. This is important because the right advice and treatment can be given and it helps stop TB from spreading in the community. 6. What does TB screening involve? The screening will find out whether you have any symptoms of TB, if you have already been vaccinated with BCG vaccine (which provides some protection against TB), and it will include a blood test to check if you require further assessment. 7. What will the results show? As soon as your test result is available we will write to you and your GP to inform you of the outcome. You will receive your test results one to two weeks after providing a blood sample. If the test is negative no further assessment or treatment is needed. You may be offered BCG vaccine if you have not previously been vaccinated and are aged under 36 years. Anyone who tests positive will be referred to a medical consultant for further assessment which may include a chest X-ray. It is important to be aware that a positive test does not mean that you have TB, but that you would benefit from further clinical assessment. A positive test will indicate that you have been in contact with TB at some point in your life, however it will not indicate when and where this may have been. The results of the assessment will help determine the advice or treatment which is best for you. 8. Can I carry on with my day to day activities? There is no reason to stop any of your usual daily activities if you have been in contact with a case of TB as long as you are well. If you have symptoms of TB (e.g. weight loss, persistent cough) you should see your GP in the usual way.

Health Protection Agency 2012