For immediate release
March 15, 2002
Contact: Vickie Elisa
               (404) 294-3700

Board of Health offers free screenings for World TB Day

 

In honor of World TB Day on March 24, the DeKalb County Board of Health is offering free tuberculosis (TB) screenings on the preceding Friday, March 22. The screenings will be given from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Vinson Health Center at 440 Winn Way in Decatur, near DeKalb Medical Center. At that time, individuals can receive a simple skin test at no cost, but must return the following Monday, March 25, to have the results evaluated. The usual fee for the TB screening is $16.

Tuberculosis is an airborne disease that mainly affects the lungs, but can also affect other organs. People who are infected with TB do not feel sick, do not have any symptoms and are not contagious unless and until their infection develops into active TB disease.

"Since individuals with TB infection do not have symptoms, getting tested is especially important," notes Ken Prince, director of County-Wide Services at the DeKalb County Board of Health.

Persons who are in any of the following groups should be screened for TB:

  • those who have spent time with someone with TB disease
  • those who have HIV infection or another condition that weakens the immune system
  • those who inject drugs, and
  • those who think they may have TB.

    Tubercule bacteria cause tuberculosis. The bacteria are inhaled in airborne droplets produced when a person with active TB coughs, sneezes or speaks. To become infected with TB, one must have direct, extended contact with a contagious person who has the active disease. The TB skin test is the most accurate way to determine if a person has been infected.

    For more information on TB screening, call (404) 508-7857. For information on other Board of Health services, call (404) 294-3700.

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