Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) There are two TB-related conditions, latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease.
TB can live in the body without making you sick. This is called LTBI, which occurs when the body can fight the bacteria after exposure to stop them from growing. People with LTBI have no symptoms but test positive for TB and may develop TB disease if not treated.
When TB bacteria are active (multiplying in your body), this is called TB disease. People with active TB disease are sick and can spread the bacteria to other people.
The purpose of the TB control program is to prevent the transmission of M. tuberculosis from persons with active TB disease to uninfected persons and to offer treatment to those with LTBI. TB treatment testing is based on guidelines from the Indiana State Department of Health (IDOH) and the Centers for Disease Control.
TB services offered by ECHD:
The local Health Department reports directly to the Indiana Department of Health per Indiana Administrative Code, 410 IAC 2.