World TB Day is a day to educate the public about the impact of TB around the world. This annual event commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that causes tuberculosis (TB).
Tuberculosis is an airborne disease that primarily affects the lungs, but can also affect other organs. People infected with TB do not feel sick, do not have symptoms and are not contagious unless and until their infection develops into active TB disease.
TB bacteria may be released into the air by TB-diseased persons when they sneeze, cough or speak.
Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness’ (LMPHW) TB Clinic has provided treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), an important component of TB control and elimination. LMPHW’s TB clinicians have visited schools and patients’ homes to provide medication Monday through Friday. Most TB patients have been children under 5 years old who were exposed to someone with the infection, immigrants, houseless people, healthcare and daycare workers.
The following are the number of confirmed cases in the region since 2020:
- 2020: 15
- 2021: 16
- 2022: 28
- 2023: 4
Symptoms of TB:
- A bad cough lasting more than two weeks
- Coughing up blood
- Chest pains
- Fatigue or weakness
- Fever
- Poor appetite and weight loss
- Night sweats
- Chills
Who should get a TB test?
You should be tested for TB infection if:
- You have spent time with someone with infectious TB.
- You live in an environment where TB disease is common, including some nursing homes and most homeless shelters, prisons, jails and migrant farm camps.
- You think you might have TB disease.
- You are from a country where TB disease is common, such as countries in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia.
- You have HIV infection or another condition that places you at high risk for TB disease.
- You inject drugs and/or share needles.
Our TB Clinic, 400 E. Gray St., provides diagnostic and treatment services for Jefferson, Bullitt, Henry, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble counties. It is open by appointment only. Patients must use the main entrance and sign in. Call 502-574-6617 to schedule an appointment.
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