The CDC’s Think, Test, Treat TB campaign is the first national communications campaign designed to increase testing and treatment for latent TB infection (LTBI) in the United States. Though people with LTBI don’t feel sick, present any symptoms, nor spread TB to others, some with LTBI go on to develop TB disease. Finding and treating those with LTBI is essential for better managing and reducing TB in local communities.
By sharing this campaign, Washington County aims to expand awareness and support for primary care providers by providing recommended testing and treatment protocols, along with trusted provider and patient resources. Staff are always available to provide training and technical assistance when needed.
Think:
- Who should be tested for TB infection?
- People who were born in or frequently travel to countries where TB is common. (Mexico, the Philippines, Vietnam, India, China, Haiti, Guatemala, or other countries with high rates of TB. In general, people born in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, western European countries, or northern European countries are not considered at high risk for TB infection unless they spent time in a country with a high rate of TB.)
- People who currently live or used to live in large group settings where TB is more common, such as homeless shelters, prisons or jails
- People with weaker immune systems
- Healthcare workers
- People identified as close contacts or those exposed to others with TB Disease
- Read the CDCs brochure Latent TB Infection Testing and Treatment: Summary of U.S. Recommendations
Test:
- Recommended tests for TB infection
- TB blood test (Interferon Gamma Release Assays [IGRA])
- TB skin test (Mantoux tuberculin skin test [TST])
- A positive reaction to a TB blood test (IGRA) or TB skin test (TST) usually means TB infection. More tests, such as a chest x-ray, are needed to rule out TB disease.
- A diagnosis of LTBI is made if a person has a positive TB blood test (IGRA) or TST result, and a medical exam does not indicate TB disease.
Treat:
- Recommended LTBI treatment regimens:
Contacts to TB:
The risk of developing TB disease increases for anyone who has had recent close contact to a person with TB Disease. If you are notified by public health that your patient is a TB contact diagnosed with LTBI (i.e., tested positive for TB while showing no symptoms and having a clear, normal chest x-ray) and are about to start LTBI treatment, please check and make sure they remain asymptomatic for TB and have a clear/normal chest x-ray within the last two months.
For more guidance on LTBI treatment, reference the CDC LTBI treatment guidance page.
If their chest x-ray is abnormal and/or you suspect they have symptoms of TB, do not treat for LTBI and call the Washington County TB program to discuss further. The TB program can help triage TB Disease and collect sputum if necessary. You can contact the program by email or by calling 503-846-3594 (ask to speak with the TB nurse-of-the-day)
