Ways to Prevent & Control Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB )is a serious bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs. It is contagious but you are most likely to get it from an infected person whom you are in consistent, close contact with rather than a passing stranger. Once the bacteria enter your body, either your immune system fights it off, it remains alive but inactive (latent TB) or you become actively infected with TB. You can do several things to control and prevent TB from spreading.

Preventing TB

• Tuberculosis can be difficult to treat so prevention is very important. Certain types of people have a higher risk of contracting TB. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that you should get tested for TB every six months if you are a health care worker or embalmer, have HIV or AIDS, take medications that suppress the immune system, live in or spend a lot of time in a country where TB is prevalent or if you live or work in an area that is overcrowded and/ or unsanitary such as a prison or long-term care facility.
  If you are diagnosed with latent TB, where the virus is alive but is not contagious or causing symptoms, you should consider using preventive therapy to keep the infection from turning into active TB. You will take the drug isoniazid, a primary treatment for TB, for about nine months. Treatment is administered in a daily or twice-a-week dose. This medication can damage your liver so your doctor will monitor you regularly; avoid alcohol and Tylenol during your treatment.
  A vaccine called BCG is common in countries where TB is widespread and is usually given to children. It is not very effective in adults and is rarely used in the United States.
  Like any infection, the same common-sense rules for prevention apply. Keep your immune system healthy by eating well, getting enough rest and exercising at least 30 minutes five times a week.

Controlling TB Infection

• If you become actively infected with TB, you will need a specific course of treatment that can last as long as a year. You will receive a combination of drugs that kill the TB bacteria. Depending on how sick you are, you might need to go to the hospital to begin your treatment. The infection usually stops being contagious after about two weeks of medication. If you remain in your home, do not go to work or school until your doctor confirms you are no longer contagious. Do not let others sleep in the room with you and be sure to cover your mouth with a tissue when laughing, coughing or sneezing. Put the tissue in a sealed bag and throw it out. Wearing a mask when you are around other people can reduce the risk of transmission during this window. Keep your house well-ventilated to let in fresh air.
  It is very important you take your medications exactly as prescribed and keep all appointments with your doctor. Messing with your doses or stopping treatment early puts you and others at risk of developing a drug-resistant strain which is extremely difficult to treat and can be fatal.