Tuberculosis

Signs & Symptoms of TB

Symptoms usually come on gradually over a period of several weeks. The most common symptoms are:

  • Cough, (usually for more than three weeks)
  • Coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs)
  • Pain in the chest
  • Fatigue
  • Weight loss
  • Fever
  • Night sweats

Testing

TST (Mantoux) is an injection of a very small amount of fluid in the forearm. A client must return in 48 to 72 hours after the injection to have the skin test results read by the clinic nurse. At that time written results are given. If the test is positive, further tests need to be done to determine if you actually have Tuberculosis disease which may be communicable to others. The fee for this test is $10.

Treatment

TB test are given on Mondays and Tuesdays at the Health Department. If the test is positive, the patient will be educated on the medications needed to treat tuberculosis and given medications at no charge to treat their infection. Referrals for chest x-rays and blood tests can be provided.