Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious disease caused by germs that multiply in the body and damage tissue. It most often affects the lungs. TB is spread from person to person through the air. TB can be cured with medicine. The signs and symptoms of TB disease include: coughing a lot, coughing up sputum, coughing up blood, chest pain when you cough, losing weight, fever, sweating a lot at night, and/or pain at the site of disease.

When someone with TB disease of the lungs coughs, sneezes or shouts, the TB germs can spray into the air. Others can breathe the TB germs into their lungs. This is called TB infection. Someone with TB infection: does not have symptoms, does not feel sick, and cannot spread TB germs to others.

TB germs can live in the body for many years without causing sickness. If someone with TB infection is not treated with medicine, they could become sick with TB disease. Then the TB germs could spread to others.

You could have TB infection if you have ever been near someone with TB disease (even if you did not know they had TB disease). People do not know whether they have TB infection unless they are tested.

Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)

A TST skin test is the best way to tell if you have TB infection. This test is usually given on the arm. A small needle is used to inject some testing fluid (called tuberculin) under the skin. A bump or redness may develop. You need to see a health-care provider two to three days after the test to determine if you have TB infection. You may be tested again later, just to be sure.

Even if you have had a BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guerin) vaccination for TB in the past, you can receive a TST skin test. BCG does not always cause a reaction to the TSTskin test and does not always protect you from TB. If the TST indicates that you have TB infection, or if you have symptoms of TB disease, a chest x-ray will be done to see if your lungs are damaged from the TB germs. Additional tests may be needed to determine if you should take medicine.

Treatment for TB Infection

It may be recommended that you take medicine to prevent you from developing TB disease in the future. Medicine is usually recommended if you: are a close contact of a person with TB disease, have a chest x-ray that indicates past TB disease, or have a medical condition that would increase your risk of developing TB disease

Treatment for TB Disease

Medicine is available to treat TB disease. TB disease can be cured by taking the medicine as prescribed.

Prepared by Minnesota Dept. of Health
Tuberculosis Prevention & Control Program
(612) 676-5414

Mantoux testing is done for students at the Placement Center to identify persons with tuberculosis (TB) infection and disease who would benefit from treatment. Saint Paul Public Schools consult with the Health Department in determining who should be tested for TB infection. Students that are at higher risk for TB exposure or infection will be screened and referred for follow-up as appropriate.

When coming to the Placement Center, please bring documentation of any mantoux testing or chest x-ray that you have had in the past.

Center for Disease Control - Tuberculosis Information in English and Spanish about Tuberculosis

Saint Paul Ramsey County Public Health Department TB Newsletter Information, Quizes and Statistical Informaiton about TB in Ramsey County

Minnesota Department of Health Link to the State's information page on TB. Provides guidelines, recommendations, surveillance information and many other pieces of information.

Traslated Information Information about Tuberculosis in languages other than English