Program Focus:

Prevent the spread of tuberculosis in Imperial County, and assure adequate treatment for individuals with active tuberculosis.

Program Activities:

1)      If x-ray shows no sign of active TB offer preventive medication.

2)      If x-ray suggests active TB refer to TB Physician for evaluation.

• Provide case management on active TB cases until completion of treatment.
• Monitor patients taking TB medications through Directly Observed Therapy (DOT).
• Investigate all contacts of persons with active TB, evaluate and offer treatment, and follow-up to prevent the development of active TB.
• Provide consultation regarding TB to the private providers, infection control practitioners and to the community.

Active TB Disease:  Symptoms of Active Tuberculosis may include a constant cough that lasts two or more weeks (cough may produce phlegm or blood), chest pain, weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. A person with active TB disease is contagious and can infect other people by droplets sprayed into the air especially when they cough or sneeze.    

TB Infection: When a person has been exposed to someone with active TB disease and breaths in the TB germ from droplets in the air, that person may become infected with the TB germ. In most cases, people can contain the infection and not become ill with active TB disease.  A person with TB infection only (a positive TB skin test and a normal chest x-ray) is not sick, and cannot pass the TB germ to others.  Medication is available to prevent the infection from developing into active TB.  Persons with a positive TB skin test should check with their health care provider or medical staff at the Public Health Department to see whether or not they should take preventive medication.

Any one can develop TB, but some people are at higher risk.

Those at higher risk include:

·        People who share the same breathing space with an active TB disease case

       (Such as family members, friends, and coworkers)

·        Homeless people

·        Foreign-born people from countries where a lot of people have TB

·        Nursing home residents

·        Prisoners

·        Alcoholics and intravenous drug users

·        People with medical conditions such as diabetes (especially when glucose is

uncontrolled), or who take immune suppressing drugs after transplants, and under weight

·        People with HIV infection (the virus that causes AIDS)

Program Contact Information:

Charlotte Clunn, BSN, PHN, Nursing Supervisor

Imperial County Public Health Department

935 Broadway, El Centro, 92243

Phone: (760) 482-4661

Fax: (760) 482-4897

charlotteclunn@imperialcounty.net

Reporting Requirements:

The State Health and Safety Codes Div. 4, Chapter 5 and Admin. mandate reporting of all patients with confirmed or suspected Tuberculosis (TB).  Title 17, Chapter 4, Section 2500 and must be done within 1 day of diagnosis.

Releasing Requirements: Gotch Law

As of January 1, 1994, California State Health and Safety Codes mandate that patients suspect for or confirmed as having Tuberculosis may not be discharged or transferred without prior Health Department approval. To facilitate timely and appropriate discharge of TB suspects/confirmed cases, the provider should notify the Health Department 1-2 days prior to anticipated discharge. To review the discharge criteria see Health and Safety Code Sections-Gotch No active Tuberculosis patient may be discharged or transferred between health facilities or corrections without getting a written approval from the Health Officer. Health and Safety Code: SEC. 5.  3281. (1) (2)

Associated Links:

Tuberculosis Information: 

www.mercksource.com