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Our Vision: Healthy People in Healthy Communities

For People Working or Living in Downtown Los Angelesand the Skid Row AreaINFORMATION ABOUT TB

What is TB?

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium calledMycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria

usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney,

spine, and brain. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.

There are two forms of TB: latent TB infection and active TB disease. People with latent

TB infection dont feel sick, dont have symptoms, and cant spread TB bacteria to others.

People with latent TB infection can go on to develop TB disease if they dont take preven-

tive therapy. People with active TB disease feel sick, have signs and symptoms, and mayspread TB bacteria to others. People who think they were exposed to someone with active

TB disease should contact their health care provider or the local health department to see if

testing is needed.

What are TB symptoms?

Signs and symptoms of TB disease include a bad cough that lasts two to three weeks or

longer, fever, chills, sweating at night, pain in the chest, weakness/fatigue, no appetite,

weight loss, or coughing up blood-tinged sputum.

How is TB spread?

TB is spread through the air from one person to another. You can only get infected by

breathing in TB germs that a person coughs into the air. TB bacteria are put into the airwhen a person with active TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or

sings. You cannot get TB from contact with clothes, drinking glasses, eating utensils,

handshakes, or contact with surfaces. Transmission of TB is usually associated with

prolonged or frequent close contact with a person with active TB disease.

How many cases have been reported among the homeless in LA County?

This particular outbreak of TB was not known to be present in LA County prior to 2007.

Since 2007, there have been 78 cases related to this outbreak, 60 cases (77%) were

reported as homeless within the 12 months prior to TB diagnosis.

Should the public be concerned?

No, the general public should not be overly concerned. The public needs to know that there

is no immediate danger to their health related to the current situation. TB is spread from

person to person through the air, and usually requires prolonged, close contact. You cannot

get TB from contact with clothes, drinking glasses, eating utensils, handshakes, contact with

surfaces, or passing someone on the street.

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7/29/2019 TB Info for People Living on Skid Row.pdf

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Our Vision: Healthy People in Healthy Communities

For People Working or Living in Downtown Los Angelesand the Skid Row AreaINFORMATION ABOUT TB

Is there concern that TB could be contracted by people who work in

the downtown Los Angeles area or Skid Row?TB is spread through the air from one person to another. You can only get infected by

breathing in TB germs that a person expels into the air (e.g., by coughing). You cannot get

TB from contact with clothes, drinking glasses, eating utensils, handshakes, contact with

surfaces, or passing someone on the street. Transmission of TB is usually associated with

prolonged or frequent close contact with a person with active TB disease.

People who work in certain locations, such as health care settings and homeless shelters,

should be screened for TB at least annually or sooner after a known exposure to a case of

active pulmonary TB. Individuals who have a positive screening test should be evaluated by

a physician and with a chest X-ray to evaluate for active TB disease. Those persons found to

have latent TB infection but without active TB disease should be offered treatment for latent

TB infection. In addition, persons known to have been exposed to a case of infectious TB

should be evaluated by a medical provider.

What is the risk for those whose work puts them in contact with

this population, such as health care professionals, EMTs, police,and shelter workers?

Hospital, shelter, and public safety workers should be screened for TB at least annually or

sooner after a known exposure to an active case of pulmonary TB. Workers who have a

positive screening test should be evaluated by a physician and with a chest X-ray to evalu-

ate for active TB disease. Those persons found to have latent TB infection but without

active TB disease should be offered treatment for latent TB infection.

Should people working with the homeless population wear a mask?

No, but persons working with homeless populations should remain alert to the signs and

symptoms of active TB disease (e.g., prolonged cough, fever, night sweats, weight loss) and

refer those individuals promptly for further medical evaluation. If staff members identify a

symptomatic client, they should immediately provide the client with tissues and instruct the

client to cover his/her nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. The client should also

be given a surgical mask and instructed to place it over both the mouth and nose area.

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