Pictures & Pages/Related Info

• Identifying Concerns & Supports (Red Book pg. 23)

• TB Stigma

• Active TB

• Active TB Treatment Phase 1

What is it

Isolation means to be separated from other people (at home or in hospital) to prevent the spread of TB. It is required for most people who were recently told they have Active TB. This is because in Active TB, the TB germ is contagious and can spread to other people.

Key Points

• A person will start Active TB treatment during isolation.

• Someone isolating, at home or in hospital, can still go outdoors. It is really unlikely for TB to spread outdoors in the open air.

• The length of the isolation is determined by the doctor.

  • Isolation usually lasts 14-28 days.

  • The length of isolation depends on things like:

    • Is the person taking all their pills?

    • Is the person having any harmful reactions to the antibiotics?

    • Is the person showing signs of health improvement or are they feeling better?

Seeing People & Activities

After the isolation is over, the person is no longer contagious. This means they can go back to doing activities and seeing people like they did before they had Active TB.

Read more about

• At Home Isolation

• Hospital Isolation