- You are a resident or employee in group settings where the risk
is high (i.e. correctional facilities, hospices, skilled nursing
facilities and other health care facilities)
- You work in a mycobacteriology laboratory
- You have been in contact with a person known or suspected to
have TB disease
- Your body's resistance to illness is low, due to aging,
malnutrition, HIV or other conditions that weaken the immune
system
- You think you might already have TB disease and are
experiencing symptoms that are characteristic of TB disease
- You are from a country or lived in a country where TB disease
is prevalent, such as Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Russia, the
Caribbean, and most countries in Latin America
- You live or have been present in a facility where TB is common,
such as in a crowded shelter, prison, and/or long-term care
facility
- You have used injected illicit drugs
Can TB be cured?
The good news is, yes, TB can be cured - even in people
with HIV infection. However, you must take all of the medication as
your doctor instructs you to do, or else not all of the bacteria
will be killed.
Can TB be prevented?
Yes. You usually have to be in contact with someone with active
TB for a long time before becoming infected. The most important
measure to prevent the transmission of TB in the hospital is to
have proper ventilation and/or proper personal protective equipment
(respirator).
Where can I learn more?
CDC Hotline: 1.800.232.4636
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention