Medical Providers Resources
Medical Providers Resources
Welcome to the Medical Providers Resources hub. From the latest research and treatment guidelines to patient management tools, we’ve got everything you need to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of healthcare.
Immunizations
Contact for Immunizations
Priscilla Madero
Infectious Disease Prevention Program Supervisor IInfectious Disease Prevention
(442) 265-1394
priscillamadero@co.imperial.ca.us
Tuberculosis
1. Medical History
Clinicians should ask about the patient’s history of TB exposure, infection, or disease. It is also important to consider demographic factors (e.g., country of origin, age, ethnic or racial group, occupation) that may increase the patient’s risk for exposure to TB or to drug-resistant TB.
2. Physical Examination
A physical exam can provide valuable information about the patient’s overall condition and other factors that may affect how TB is treated, such as HIV infection or other illnesses.
3. Test for TB Infection
Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST) or
TB Blood Test (QuantiFERON-TB Gold/T-Spot
4. Chest X-ray
- A posterior-anterior and lateral view of chest x-ray used to detect chest abnormalities.
5. Diagnostic Microbiology
Sputum Sample
TB disease can be treated by taking several medications, usually for 6 to 9 months. There are 10 medications currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating TB. Of the approved medications, the first-line anti-TB agents that form the core of treatment regimens include:
isoniazid (INH)
rifampin (RIF)
ethambutol (EMB)
pyrazinamide (PZA)
Regimens for treating TB disease have an initial phase of 2 months, followed by a choice of several options for the continuation phase of either 4 or 7 months (total of 6 to 9 months for treatment).
People with TB must complete their treatment.
Taking the treatment exactly as prescribed. If they stop taking the treatment too soon, they can become sick again; if they do not take the treatment correctly, the TB bacteria that are still alive may become resistant to those medications. TB that is resistant to treatment is harder and more expensive to treat.
Contact for Tuberculosis
Jaspreet Sidhu, RN, BSN
Program Supervisor IITuberculosis Control Program
(442) 265-1423
jaspreetsidhu@co.imperial.ca.us