Tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculin skin tests (TST)

A TST checks to see if someone is infected with TB germs. The test if often done before:

• Volunteering
• School placement
• Employment

Facts about tuberculin skin test (TST)

Positive tuberculin skin test (TST)

If your test result was positive, it may mean that you were exposed to TB in the past. Your health care provider will assess you and order a chest X-ray. They may choose to send you to a TB specialist. A nurse from Durham Region Health Department may contact you.

A positive TST will always be positive. Never have another skin test.

Latent tuberculosis

Latent TB means that you have TB germs in your body but they are not making your sick. Your health care provider may prescribe medication to treat it. This is to prevent the germs from making you sick.

If you or your health care provider decides not to treat the latent TB, you should watch for these symptoms:

• Cough, lasting more than 3 weeks
• Night sweats
• Weight loss
• Fever

Facts about latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI)

Active tuberculosis

If you have active TB, you may spread the TB germs to others.

You may have these symptoms:

• Cough, with or without blood
• Night sweats
• Weight loss
• Fever

Active TB is treated with medication.

A doctor specializing in TB will decide what medication you need.

• Facts about Ethambutol
• Facts about Isoniazid (INH)
• Facts about Moxifloxacin
• Facts about Pyrazinamide
• Facts about Rifampin
• Facts about Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

If you have active TB, you may be isolated at home to reduce the risk of giving TB to others. Your doctor and a nurse will tell you how long to remain at home in isolation.

Home isolation for TB

Immigration medical surveillance

TB medical surveillance is a medical assessment for a person who has recently arrived in Canada to check that they do not have active TB.