What is tuberculosis suspect?
Tuberculosis suspect. Any person who presents with symptoms or signs suggestive of TB.
Who is a presumptive TB case?
Presumptive TB refers to a patient who presents with symptoms or signs suggestive of TB (previously known as a TB suspect).
What should you do if you suspect a patient has tuberculosis?
If you think you have been exposed to someone with TB disease, you should contact your doctor or local health department about getting a TB skin test or a special TB blood test. Be sure to tell the doctor or nurse when you spent time with the person who has TB disease.
How is tuberculosis defined?
Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection that usually attacks your lungs. It can also spread to other parts of your body, like your brain and spine. A type of bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes it.
What is the incubation period of tuberculosis?
In most individuals, the incubation period varies from approximately two to 12 weeks. However, the risk for developing active disease is highest in the first two years after infection and development of a positive TB skin test.
How is tuberculosis detected?
There are two kinds of tests that are used to detect TB bacteria in the body: the TB skin test (TST) and TB blood tests. A positive TB skin test or TB blood test only tells that a person has been infected with TB bacteria.
How is TB tested and diagnosed?
The most commonly used diagnostic tool for tuberculosis is a skin test, though blood tests are becoming more commonplace. A small amount of a substance called tuberculin is injected just below the skin on the inside of your forearm. You should feel only a slight needle prick.
When do you need a contact investigation for TB?
A contact investigation is required for all confirmed cases that have infectious forms of TB disease (e.g., TB disease of the lungs, airways, or larynx). Suspect TB Cases The contact investigation process should be started for persons suspected of having infectious TB disease, even before confirmation. This includes persons with positive
What do you need to know about TB cases?
TB case definitions. A bacteriologically confirmed TB case is one from whom a biological specimen is positive by smear microscopy, culture or WHO-approved rapid diagnostics (such as Xpert MTB/RIF). All such cases should be notified, regardless of whether (more…)
What is the definition of a presumptive TB case?
Case and outcome definitions. This section describes the recently revised definitions of TB cases, their classification and the treatment outcome categories (1). Presumptive TB refers to a patient who presents with symptoms or signs suggestive of TB (previously known as a TB suspect).
What does index case in TB refer to?
case— a person with suspected or confirmed TB disease; sometimes referred to as an index case or index patient case conference— meetings at designated intervals for reviewing the treatment of TB patients currently under care.