According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 9,582 tuberculosis (TB) cases were reported in the United States in 2013. This shows a decline from the 2012 statistics.
The CDC adds that the rate of TB in the US continues to decline annually since 1999. The year 2011 saw over 536 deaths from TB.
The CDC's continuous fight against TB has brought about a detailed and helpful guide to further inform and educate about the disease, as well as provide recommendations and steps to take for the general public.
The CDC shares the following information.
How do I know if I have been infected with TB germs?
If you have been around someone who has TB disease, you should go to your doctor or your local health department for tests.
There are two tests that can be used to help detect TB infection: a TB skin test or TB blood test. The skin test is used most often. A small needle is used to put some testing material, called tuberculin, under the skin. In 2-3 days, you return to the health care worker who will check to see if there is a reaction to the test. In some cases, a TB blood test is used to test for TB infection. This blood test measures how a person's immune system reacts to the germs that cause TB.
To tell if someone has TB disease, other tests such as chest x-ray and a sample of sputum (phlegm that is coughed up from deep in the lungs) may be needed.
What should I do if I have TB?
If you have latent TB infection, you may need medicine to prevent getting TB disease later. One or more drugs are used to treat latent TB infection. It is important that you take your medicine exactly as your doctor or health care worker tells you.
TB disease can also be treated by taking medicine. If you have TB disease, it is very important that you finish the medicine, and take the drugs exactly as you are told. If you stop taking the drugs too soon, you can become sick again. If you do not take the drugs correctly, the germs that are still alive may become difficult to treat with those drugs. If you have TB disease, it takes six months and possibly as long as one year to kill all the TB germs.
