WCCHD has a team of specially trained staff that can assist in the medical management of clients diagnosed with TB. Coordination with the client’s primary care physician is vital to ensure that all aspects of the client’s health are addressed.

WCCHD staff are trained in contact investigation, direct observation therapy, proper medication management, and overall case management of the client with tuberculosis.

TB Skin and Blood Testing
Tuberculosis skin testing is provided at all clinic locations during immunization hours or by appointment. Skin tests are not typically administered on Thursdays since they must be read 48-72 hours after administration, which would fall on a weekend.

Blood tests (Quantiferon Gold IT) are only provided on Mondays and Tuesdays to allow for incubation and shipping of samples.

Testing is offered for $20.00 to persons who are required to have testing for employment or school purposes, persons who are being screened for becoming foster parents and other like situations. This is not a fee that is waived due to an inability to pay.

Testing may be offered free of charge to persons who have had recent exposure to a person with confirmed, active tuberculosis and in other situations that place them at considerable risk for development of TB disease if infected.

Receiving TB Services
WCCHD does not have the capability to diagnose tuberculosis disease. Clients may be referred to WCCHD for treatment after basic diagnostics are completed by a medical provider. WCCHD can assist with sputum collection, blood work, and medication ordering and supply. WCCHD staff have an excellent rapport with Regional TB experts from Texas Center for Infectious Diseases and UT Tyler and can assist in getting medical consultations for clients with drug resistance, adverse drug reactions, and pediatric cases.

Persons diagnosed with TB are provided medications free of charge through WCCHD and the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Pharmacy. Sputum for detection of acid fast bacilli and culture are also provided free of charge through DSHS in coordination with the WCCHD TB Elimination office.

Persons with positive TB tests, but no evidence of disease may be referred to a WCCHD Public Health Center for the initiation of treatment for Latent TB infection (LTBI). Medications are offered free of charge for the LTBI therapy through our offices. These medications are provided to us through the DSHS Pharmacy.

Additional Resources

For more information about TB, LTBI, or drug treatment you can contact our offices at 943-3660 or visit the following websites:

http://www.cdc.gov/tb/default.htm

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/tb/

http://www.heartlandntbc.org/