Tuberculosis (TB)
MCHD collaborates with the Wisconsin TB Dispensary program, and providers to assure people receive adequate and appropriate diagnostic and treatment services. Those who qualify, may receive case management services and anti-tuberculosis medications at no cost. MCHD provides case management for clients that reside in Manitowoc County and have tuberculosis disease or are considered high risk for TB Infection.
What is TB?
TB is caused by a bacterium (or germ) called Mycobacterium tuberculosis and usually affects the lungs. Not everyone infected with TB germs becomes sick. As a result, two TB related conditions exist-inactive TB (Latent TB Infection or LTBI) and active TB disease. People with LTBI do not have any symptoms and cannot spread TB but may develop active TB in the future without treatment.
Learn more about TB
Those who have risk factors for TB infection or have recent symptoms of active TB should be tested.
The CDC & the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends testing to those who are at increased risk for TB infection (targeted testing).
Testing can identify people who have a latent TB infection (LTBI) and are at risk for developing infectious (active) TB disease.
Employers may also require their employees receive baseline testing
Additional Resources
TB Disease Fact Sheet (English), TB Disease Fact Sheet (Spanish), TB Disease Fact Sheet (Hmong)
Latent TB Infection (LTBI) Fact Sheet: LTBI (English), LTBI (Spanish), LTBI (Hmong)
Employers: Find more information based on setting or facility type on the WI-TB Program Website