Tuberculosis

What is it?
• Tuberculosis (TB) is a respiratory disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• There are two types of respiratory TB: active disease and latent TB infection (LTBI)
• Symptoms of active TB disease are cough, fatigue, fever, night sweats, weight loss and chest pain

How is it spread?

• It is spread by the airborne route from the respiratory tract of an individual with active TB disease
• TB is not a highly infectious disease and usually requires close, frequent and prolonged exposure to a source
case
• Occasionally, TB may be spread from a non‐respiratory TB case when infected fluid becomes aerosolized
during a procedure (e.g., body fluid from a draining abscess during dressing changes)

Where is it found?
• In the respiratory tract and isolated from sputum
• Worldwide, especially in developing countries

Prevention and control
• Use airborne precautions (in addition to routine practices) when caring for someone with active TB disease
• Place someone with active TB disease in a private room with negative pressure
• Keep windows and doors closed at all times
• Wear an approved, fit‐tested, particulate respirator (mask), e.g., N95 when entering room
• Postpone elective procedures until the client/patient/resident is non‐infectious
• Place a surgical mask on TB clients/patients/residents if they must leave the room
• Inform the receiving department and staff involved in transport about the infection control precautions in use
• Require that visitors wear an N95 respirator when entering room
• Discourage visits by children (due to their increased susceptibility)
• Notify infection prevention and control personnel