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Tuberculosis Clinic

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious international public health problem that has been around for hundreds of years. Through the centuries TB has been known by various names including the "white plague" and "consumption." In the United States, infection with TB often led to serious illness and death until the introduction of Isoniazid (INH) in the 1950's. INH was the first in a line of several effective TB medications that helped to dramatically control the spread of TB in this country. However, TB continues to be the single leading cause of death and disability in under-developed nations around the world.

Active or suspected cases of TB must be reported to the district health department for investigation and follow-up. Central District Health Department's TB Program has two major components: Case investigations and TB clinical services. Case investigations are carried out by district health epidemiologists and involve interviewing the infected person to determine the source of his or her infection.

Epidemiologists also try to identify close contacts of the ill person who would benefit from TB testing. Contacts are skin-tested for TB and, if they test positive, are referred to their primary care physician or to CDHD's TB Clinic for follow-up. If a person is referred to the TB Clinic, a chest x-ray is ordered in advance. Contacts are evaluated by a consulting pulmonologist (a physician who specializes in lung disease). The physician may prescribe a preventive course of treatment, often with the antibiotic Isoniazid. Preventive antibiotic treatment generally lasts for six to nine months. A clinic nurse schedules routine follow-ups with patients at one, two, four, and six months.

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