Tuberculosis (TB) Elimination and Hansen's Disease Program

The activities performed at the state, regional and local levels support our vision and mission:

• Vision: A Texas Free of TB
• Mission: To Eliminate TB as a Public Health Threat
• World TB Day: March 24

Our local TB clinic is focused on testing and treating high risk individuals who might have been exposed to TB from a positive TB disease case or have a positive TB test from another clinic, hospital, or MD office.  We follow DSHS guidelines and recommendations for testing and treating.

MD referral and copies of positive TB test results are needed when coming in for follow up treatment.

For information on exactly what is needed for an appointment:

PLEASE CALL: (956)-795-4911

Limited public TB testing is done on Mondays ONLY between the hours of:

• 9 am and 12 pm

Public testing uses Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST). Only a certain amount of testing solution is available so public testing is done on a first come first served basis. A person given the TST must return within 48 to 72 hours to have a health care worker look for a reaction on the arm; this must be done in-person 

The following items are required for registration:

• Testing fee of $20 cash only
• Picture ID
• Birth Certificate or Social Security card
• Anyone younger than 18 years of age needs their immunization card and parent or guardian present.

About Tuberculosis

• Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a germ that is spread from person to person through the air. TB usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys or the spine. TB disease can be cured with medical care and the right medicine.

   

• TB germs are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks or sings. These germs can stay in the air for several hours, depending on the environment. People who breathe in the air containing these TB germs can become infected; this is called TB infection (also known as latent TB infection). If untreated, TB infection can become TB disease.

Difference between TB Infection and TB Disease

• People with TB infection have TB germs in their bodies, but they are not sick because the germs are not active. These people do not have symptoms of TB disease and they cannot spread the germs to others. However, they may develop TB disease in the future. They are often prescribed treatment to prevent them from developing TB disease.

Some of the symptoms of TB Disease include:

• Consistent cough lasting 3 weeks or more
• Fever
• Coughing up blood
• Night sweats
• Unintentional weight loss
• Constantly feeling tired and unwell

TB Testing for high-risk patients 

• The TB blood test, known as the Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA), T-SPOT®.TB test measures how the patient’s immune system reacts to the germs that cause TB when present. All high-risk patients age 2 years and older are tested this way.

   

• All patients 6 months old to 1 year old receive a Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST). It is performed by injecting a small amount of fluid into the skin in the lower part of the arm. A person given the TST must return within 48 to 72 hours to have a health care worker look for a reaction on the arm; this must be done in-person.

   

• A positive TST or IGRA blood test only tells you if you have TB germs in your body. Other tests may be needed to tell if you have TB disease, such as a chest x-ray and laboratory testing of sputum.

Why is TB Infection Is Treated

If you have TB infection but not TB disease, your doctor may want you to take an antibiotic to kill the TB germs and prevent you from developing TB disease. Treatment can range between 4 to 6 months.

How TB Disease Is Treated

• TB disease can be treated by taking multiple antibiotics for several months, generally 6 to 12 months. It is very important that people who have TB disease finish the medicine, and take the antibiotics exactly as prescribed. If they stop taking the antibiotics too soon, they can become sick again; if they do not take the antibiotics correctly, the germs that are still alive may become resistant to those antibiotics. TB that is resistant to certain antibiotics is harder to treat.
• DSHS provides TB medications to public health clinics across Texas.

For Schools: Do all new students in Texas schools still need a tuberculin skin test?

• No, a tuberculosis questionnaire has been developed by Texas DSHS to identify children at high risk for TB infection. School districts use the TB questionnaire to identify children who should receive a TB skin test prior to school entry.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that physicians routinely assess a child's risk of TB exposure with a questionnaire and offer tuberculin skin testing only to at-risk children. The AAP does not recommend routine tuberculin skin testing of children with no TB risk factors for school entry, day care attendance, WIC eligibility, or camp attendance.
• These are DSHS recommendations only and school district policy supersedes.

General Reporting Requirements

• Both TB infection and TB disease are Notifiable Conditions reportable to the local or regional health department TB Programs. Reporting details can be found on the DSHS website, which include reporting forms.
• Tuberculosis Infection- Reportable within one (1) week to the local or regional health department.
• TB Disease or Suspicion of TB Disease- Reportable within one (1) working day.

Targeted TB Testing

TB screening program that serve high-risk groups.

Tuberculosis Contact Screening

TB testing for identified individuals who recently spent time in an enclosed area with a person suspected of having tuberculosis (TB) disease.

Correctional TB

The Correctional TB Program provides technical assistance to all county jails and other correctional facilities covered by Chapter 89 of the Texas Health & Safety Code.

Binational TB Program - Los Dos Laredos

Los Dos Laredos Binational TB program serves the Texas-Mexico border cities of Laredo-Nuevo Laredo.

Hansen's Disease

The Hansen's Disease Program provides treatment for individuals with this disease in the state of Texas. The primary goal of the program is to prevent deformity and disability from Hansen’s Disease through early diagnosis and treatment.

Staff

• TB Elimination Supervisor:  Robert Salinas RN, CHW

  TB Case Manager:  Pedro Molano III BSN, RN

  Los Dos Laredos Binational Coordinator:  Soraida Chapa RN