Report of Tuberculosis Screening - Virginia

Report of Tuberculosis Screening is a legal document that was released by the Virginia Department of Health - a government authority operating within Virginia.

FAQ

Q: What is tuberculosis?
A: Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection primarily affecting the lungs.

Q: Why is TB screening important?
A: TB screening helps identify individuals who may have TB infection or active TB disease.

Q: Who should get screened for TB?
A: Individuals at increased risk for TB, such as close contacts of TB patients, healthcare workers, and people with weakened immune systems, should get screened for TB.

Q: What are the symptoms of TB?
A: Common symptoms of TB include persistent cough, chest pain, weight loss, fatigue, fever, and night sweats.

Q: How is TB screening done?
A: TB screening can be done through a skin test, blood test, or a chest X-ray.

Q: What happens if the TB screening result is positive?
A: A positive TB screening result indicates the need for further testing to determine if an individual has TB infection or active TB disease.

Q: Is TB treatable?
A: Yes, TB can be treated with a combination of antibiotics for several months.

Q: How is TB transmitted?
A: TB is usually spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Q: Can TB be prevented?
A: TB can be prevented by getting vaccinated with the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, practicing good respiratory hygiene, and avoiding close contact with individuals who have TB disease.

Q: Is TB common in Virginia?
A: While TB rates have decreased over the years, cases of TB still occur in Virginia, especially among certain populations.