Tuberculosis (TB)
SUSPECTED CASE OF TUBERCULOSIS IN McDONOUGH COUNTY (press release-please click here)
http://www.idph.state.il.us/health/infect/reportdis/tb.htm
Goal
- To protect McDonough County’s residents from tuberculosis
- To ensure that persons with active TB are identified and fully treated; to ensure contact of infectious person are screened and offered preventive therapy;
- To ensure that person at high risk for TB infection and reactivation receive appropriate screening and preventive therapy; and
- To provide surveillance and monitor the trend of TB in McDonough County.
What is Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that usually attacks the lungs, but can attack almost any part of the body. It is spread from person to person through the air. When people with TB in their lungs or throat cough, laugh, sneeze, sing, or even talk, the germs that cause TB may be spread into the air. If another person breathes in these germs there is a chance that they will become infected with tuberculosis. Repeated contact is usually required for infection. It is important to understand that there is a difference between being infected with TB and having TB disease. Someone who is infected with TB has the TB germs, or bacteria, in their body. The body's defenses are protecting them from the germs and they are not sick. Someone with TB disease is sick and can spread the disease to other people. A person with TB disease needs to see a doctor as soon as possible. It is not easy to become infected with tuberculosis. Usually a person has to be close to someone with TB disease for a long period of time. TB is usually spread between family members, close friends, and people who work or live together. TB is spread most easily in closed spaces over a long period of time. However, transmission in an airplane, although rare, has been documented. Even if someone becomes infected with tuberculosis, that does not mean they will get TB disease. Most people who become infected do not develop TB disease because their body's defenses protect them.
What is the role of the McDonough County Health Department?
With the assistance of augmented funding from the McDonough County Tuberculosis Sanitarium Board (TB San Board), a comprehensive TB surveillance program is provided. This includes:
- Education,
- Medical assistance,
- Medical referrals, and
- TB Skin Testing
McDonough County Tuberculosis Sanitarium Board
The McDonough County Tuberculosis Sanitarium Board is a board established by the McDonough County Board for the detection, treatment, and care of persons affected with tuberculosis. The TB San Board contracts with health care provider agencies in McDonough County, such as the McDonough County Health Department, WIU Beu Health Center, and McDonough District Hospital. Its role is to ensure care and services related to tuberculosis are available for county residents, including TB skin testing and follow-ups on positive reactors to TB skin tests. The TB San Board also supports preventive medications, chest x-rays, and medical care if the person has no other way to pay for it. The TB San Board consists of concerned citizens from various fields interested in the control and prevention of tuberculosis in McDonough County.