Tuberculosis
Exposure to TB
If you think you have been exposed to someone with TB disease, contact your healthcare provider or local health department to see if you should be tested for TB infection. Imperial County residents can call (442) 265-1415 for more information regarding the Tuberculosis Control Program.
Tuberculosis
Welcome to the Tuberculosis (TB) Control Program. Our goal is to stop TB from spreading through early detection and prompt evaluation of individuals suspected or confirmed of having tuberculosis disease and their contacts. We are committed to ensuring that those with confirmed TB receive and complete an appropriate course of treatment.
What causes Tuberculosis (TB)?
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by germs called Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, that spread from person to person through the air. TB usually affects the lungs, but can affect other parts of the body, including the brain, kidneys, or spine. If left untreated, TB disease can be fatal.
TB spreads through the air from person to person when someone with active TB disease coughs, speaks, sings, or laughs.
A bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer
Pain in the chest
Coughing up blood or sputum
Weakness or fatigue
Weight loss
No appetite
Chills
Fever
Sweating at night
People living with HIV
Children younger than 5 years of age
People recently infected with M. tuberculosis (within the last 2 years)
People with a history of untreated or inadequately treated TB disease
Persons who are receiving immunosuppressive therapy such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) antagonists, systemic corticosteroids equivalent to/greater than 15 mg of prednisone per day, or immunosuppressive drug therapy following organ transplantation
Persons with silicosis; chronic renal failure; leukemia; or cancer of the head, neck, or lung
Persons with diabetes
Persons who have had a gastrectomy or jejunoileal bypass
Persons with low body weight (<90% of ideal body weight)
People who use substances (such as injection drug use)
Populations defined locally as having an increased incidence of disease due to M. tuberculosis, including medically underserved and low-income populations
5 Things to Know about TB
2023 Imperial County Tuberculosis Cases
Latent vs. Active TB
People with latent TB infection do not feel sick and do not have any symptoms
However, if TB bacteria becomes active in the body and multiplies, the person will go from having latent TB infection to being sick with TB disease.
A person with TB infection only (a positive IGRA or TB skin test and a normal chest x-ray) is not sick, and cannot pass the TB germ to others. Treatment is available to prevent the infection from developing into active TB. Persons with a positive IGRA or TB skin test should check with their health care provider or medical staff at the Public Health Department to see whether or not they should take preventive medication.
A person with Latent TB Infection (LTBI):
- Does not feel sick
- Has no symptoms
- Cannot spread TB bacteria to others
- Usually has a positive TB skin test or positive TB blood test
- Has a normal chest x-ray and a negative sputum smear
- Should consider treatment for latent TB infection to prevent TB disease
Exposure to Tuberculosis (Fact sheet)
TB - General Information (Fact sheet)
Basic Tuberculosis Facts (Audio Podcast)
Questions and Answers About TB (Booklet)
Contact
Jaspreet Sidhu, RN, BSN
Program Supervisor IITuberculosis Control Program
(442) 265-1423
jaspreetsidhu@co.imperial.ca.us