Prevention
TB is largely a preventable disease, and adequate ventilation is the most important measure to prevent its transmission in the community.
In the United States, healthcare providers try to identify people infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) as early as possible, before they have developed active TB. They will give infected people a medicine called isoniazid (INH) to prevent active disease. This medicine is given every day for 6 to 12 months. INH can cause hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) in a small percentage of people, especially those older than 35 years.
Hospitals and clinics take precautions to prevent the spread of TB, which include using ultraviolet light to sterilize the air, special filters, and special respirators and masks. In hospitals, people with TB are isolated in special rooms with controlled ventilation and airflow until they can no longer spread TB bacteria.
TB Vaccine
In those parts of the world where the disease is common, the World Health Organization recommends that infants receive a vaccine called BCG (Bacille Calmette Guerin) made from a live weakened bacterium related to Mtb. BCG vaccine prevents Mtb from spreading within the body, thus preventing TB from developing.
BCG has its drawbacks, however. It does not protect adults very well against TB. In addition, BCG may interfere with the TB skin test, showing a positive skin test reaction in people who have received the vaccine. In countries where BCG vaccine is used, the ability of the skin test to identify people infected with Mtb is limited. Because of these limitations, U.S. health experts do not recommend BCG for general use in this country.
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