Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection. While TB is not common in the United States, rates of TB have been increasing over the past 2 years. TB infection can be treated with antibiotics.
The Douglas County Health Department partners with the Tuberculosis Clinic at the Public Health Institute at Denver Health for TB clinical services. Learn more about TB infection and resources to get tested and treated.
A person with TB infection can have latent (not active) infection, or they can have active disease. A person with a latent infection does not have symptoms. A small number of bacteria are in their body, but they are not causing illness. Latent infection can become active, resulting in symptoms. Approximately 10% of people in the U.S with latent infection develop active disease.
Symptoms of active infection depend on where the infection is located. Most TB infections are in the lungs. Symptoms might include:
It is possible but less common for TB infection to occur in the brain, kidney, spine, larynx, kidneys, lymph nodes, bones, and joints.
TB is spread person-to-person through the air. When a person with active TB infection in their lungs coughs, sneezes, sings, or speaks, they can spread droplets that contain bacteria.
TB is not spread through casual contact. Spread requires extensive direct contact, such as contact with household members, coworkers, and medical providers.
Both active and latent TB infection can be treated with antibiotics. The specific medications and duration of treatment are different for latent and active infection. Not all cases of latent infection are treated.
Treatment of both latent and active TB requires several months of antibiotic medication.
The type of test used to diagnose TB depends on whether or not you have symptoms. A skin test or a blood test can be used to learn if you have TB bacteria in your body. Skin testing requires 2 visits to the provider.
Additional lab testing is necessary to diagnose active infection. A chest x-ray may also be used to evaluate for lung infection.
The Douglas County Health Department partners with the Denver Metro TB Clinic for testing and treatment of county residents. The clinic is located at:
660 Bannock St., Suite 2535
Denver, CO 80204
303-602-7240
The Douglas County Health Department partners with the Denver Metro TB Clinic for treatment of county residents. The clinic is located at:
660 Bannock St., Suite 2535
Denver, CO 80204
303-602-7240
A vaccine is available to prevent TB, but it is not administered in the U.S. TB can be prevented by avoiding contact with the respiratory droplets of an infected person. A person with active TB who has not been treated should isolate and wear a mask around others. Ventilation can also help prevent transmission.
