Tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria cause the treatable infection tuberculosis (TB). TB typically occurs in the lungs but can affect any part of the body. Not everyone with TB becomes sick.  Symptoms of the disease include cough, fatigue, weight loss, fever and night sweats.

TB has 2 stages—latent TB infection (LTBI) and active TB disease.  Many people with LTBI never develop active TB disease. Others progress from LTBI to active TB disease—often due to a weakened immune system. Active TB disease is life-threatening.

LTBI

  • Do not show symptoms.
  • Do not feel ill.
  • Not contagious.
  • May have positive TB skin reaction and blood tests.
  • Usually have normal chest x-ray.
  • May develop active TB disease, if left untreated.

Active TB disease

  • May show symptoms.
  • May feel ill.
  • May be contagious.
  • Have positive TB test results.
  • If TB is in their lungs, will have abnormal chest x-rays.
  • Need treatment to be cured.

Report suspected cases immediately.

Call the reporting line or fax the Tuberculosis reporting form to the confidential fax (509) 249-6628.

Testing

Treatment

Resources

References

Best Overall Resource for TB Information

General TB and Treatment

Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI)

TB Epidemiology

TB-Related Washington Administrative Code (WAC)

For questions regarding WAC 388-97-1360 or 388-97-1600, contact Judy Johnson, Residential Care Services Program Manager, at (360) 725-2591 or judy.johnson@dshs.wa.gov.

More on Tuberculosis

Articles

Tuberculosis Screening
Latent Tuberculosis Infection Treatment Guidelines