TB Testing & Treatment

TB Testing

The TB testing process begins with a tuberculosis blood or skin test. A positive test does not necessarily mean you have active TB disease. It simply means that you were exposed to the TB germ at some point. Those with a positive test should then undergo further testing to see if there is active disease. This may include a chest x-ray to look for abnormalities in the lungs, sputum (phlegm) testing, or other tests depending on the presence of symptoms. Individuals without risk factors for exposure to TB disease should not routinely receive a TB blood or skin test.

The Tuberculosis Control Program in Collier offers treatment to all individuals with presumptive and confirmed active TB disease and only offers LTBI treatment to individuals with certain risk factors. Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) is required for individuals with presumptive or confirmed active TB disease. For more information, please call the Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) at 239-252-6007. If you would like to read about more information online, please click here to visit the official Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website http://www.cdc.gov/tb/  OR The Florida Department of Health Tuberculosis website: Providers and Professionals | Florida Department of Health (floridahealth.gov)