TB
Reinfection & Worry
Reinfection
Yes! Someone can get TB more than once. |  |
New TB | TB Growing Again |
|---|---|
Sometimes a person can get Active or Sleeping TB again if they breathe new TB bacteria into their lungs. | Sometimes a person can get Active TB again if their first treatment did not go well or was stopped too soon. Any TB germs left in the body can start growing again and make the person sick. |
This is why it is important, even if someone says they have been treated for TB that they come for follow ups and any additional testing the TB Team asks for.
Example conversation with someone who finished their TB treatment and is wondering if they can get TB again:
New TB:
So, because TB is still going around in the community, even though you’ve been treated fully for TB, it’s possible to catch TB again.
This means that the TB Team here at the clinic might call you for a new round of testing and it’s important that you still come in.
Worrying About TB
Pictures & Pages/Related Info
Contact to Latent to Active TB (Red Book pg. 7)
If someone is concerned about getting TB, you can encourage the person to:
Talk to the TB nurse to see if they should have tests for Sleeping or Active TB.
Say ‘YES’ if they’re asked to come for Community Screening.
Come to the clinic if they learn they were around someone who was contagious with Active TB.
Support and encourage friends and family to come for testing if they have symptoms.
Avoid being indoors in a place where people are smoking (for example cigarettes or marijuana).