Tuberculosis

Active TB occurs when the body’s immune system cannot stop the TB germs from growing. This might happen if the immune system cannot fight the germs (primary tuberculosis). It can also happen when the body has already fought off a TB infection but, these germs ‘wake up’ and become active again (reactivation tuberculosis). Individuals with Active TB can be contagious. This means that the germs can be given to another person.  Active TB is contagious when it is in the lungs (known as pulmonary TB). TB in other parts of the body usually cannot spread to others.

Active Tuberculosis (TB) Signs and Symptoms

Active TB disease can affect people differently. This depends on where in the body the TB germs are growing. Pulmonary TB is the most common and happens when the TB germs grow in the lungs.

Symptoms of Pulmonary Active Tuberculosis (TB) include:

• bad cough (lasting 3+ weeks)
• chest pain
• coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm)

Other Symptoms of Active Tuberculosis (TB) include:

• fatigue and weakness
• weight loss (unintentional)
• loss of appetite
• chills
• fever
• night sweats

Latent tuberculosis (LTBI) is also known as Latent Tuberculosis Infection or inactive tuberculosis. With LTBI, the TB germs are found in the body but are considered inactive or dormant. Inactive or dormant means that although the TB germs are in the body, the germs are ‘sleeping’.  Generally, people who have latent TB do not have any symptoms or feel sick. If you have latent TB, it cannot be spread to others. However, if the germs ‘wake-up’, it can become active TB.

Tuberculosis is spread by tiny germs that can float in the air when someone with an active TB infection coughs or sneezes. TB cannot be spread through a short interaction or passing, as it takes a fairly long time for it to spread.

TB Skin Test ( Mantoux Skin Test)

 A Mantoux tuberculin skin test involves a small injection under the surface of your skin. This will form a small bubble or ‘bleb’ which may disappear the same day. Your TB skin test is read 48-72 hours after the injection. The nurse will focus on the size of any raised, hard, or swollen area at the injection site. Most people only need one test. Some people need it done twice because of work, school, or other reasons. The second test is called a ‘two-step’ TB test.

For more information on TB Skin testing and testing locations, please visit Immunization Clinics.

Other types of testing that may be completed include a blood draw, chest x-ray or a sputum sample. These are ordered by a health care provider to determine if is there is evidence of TB in the lungs or other parts of the body.

Tuberculosis medical surveillance (TBMS) is a medical check-up for a person who has newly arrived in Canada.  This helps to check-on the presence or status of TB. For example, TBMS can help to determine if you have TB, or can help to check if inactive TB has become active TB. This is a requirement of Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

What is the Tuberculosis Medical Surveillance (TBMS) process?

1. Your documents are sent to IRCC during immigration
2. IRCC notifies public health for follow up
3. Public health will contact you and give you a medical surveillance form for your health care provider to complete
4. Attend your medical surveillance appointment and give the form to your health care provider.
5. Your completed form is sent to public health
6. Public health ensures all documents are completed and follows up with IRCC

For more information, please visit: Medical Surveillance from the Government of Canada.

 Does Tuberculosis Medical Surveillance (TBMS) cost?

If you are an international student, contact your health insurance company to verify if TBMS is covered. The cost of TBMS in Ontario may be covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). To find out if you are eligible, please call the Service Ontario INFOline at 1-800-268-1154 or visit Ministry of Health’s Apply for OHIP and Get a Health Card.

TB is treated with antibiotics (medications). If you have active TB, you will take medications to treat the disease. If you have latent TB, your health care provider may have you take medications to stop latent TB from becoming active TB.  You may be on TB medication for a long time. This is because TB germs take a long time to die.

 For more information about treatment options, please visit Tuberculosis (TB): Symptoms and treatment - Canada.ca

For information in other languages, please visit Health Information Translations

Isolation Guidance for Tuberculosis (TB) Cases

To help protect your family and friends, stay at home if you have been instructed to isolate. Isolation means staying away from other people in your house, not going into public places (for example work, school, places of worship, community centers, grocery stores), and not taking public transportation (for example buses, trains, airplanes, boats). A public health nurse will tell you when you can end your isolation but plan for this to be around two weeks. To end isolation, you must not be able to spread the TB disease to other people.

 Guidance for Tuberculosis (TB) Contacts

If you have been exposed to someone with active TB, Peterborough Public Health will contact you.  You may be recommended to get a TB skin test or TB blood test. These tests can determine if you have TB germs in your body. You will not be told who exposed you as this is protected health information.