Tuberculosis (TB) in Healthcare Settings
Overview of Tuberculosis (TB) in Healthcare Settings
Transmission of M. tuberculosis is a recognized risk to patients and healthcare personnel in healthcare facilities. Transmission is most likely to occur from patients who have unrecognized pulmonary or laryngeal TB, are not on effective anti-TB therapy, and have not been placed in TB isolation. Transmission of M. tuberculosis in healthcare settings has been associated with close contact with persons who have infectious TB, particularly during the performance of cough-inducing procedures in healthcare settings such as bronchoscopy and sputum induction. Cases of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB, which includes extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB)), have been recognized and are more difficult to treat.
See also: Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis
Fact Sheets
- TB Fact Sheet for Healthcare Workers
- TB Infection Control in Health-Care Settings
- List of CDC TB Fact Sheets
Education/Training Materials
Date last reviewed: July 9, 2007
Content source:
Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion (DHQP)
National Center for Preparedness, Detection, and Control of Infectious Diseases
Infection Control Topics
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