Tuberculosis

UI Health Care pulmonologists provide evaluation, treatment, and support for tuberculosis and other chronic lung infections.

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1-319-356-8133

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If you are at risk for tuberculosis (TB) or need a diagnosis or care, our pulmonology team can help.

TB is an infectious disease that has the potential to cause a public health emergency in communities if left untreated. That’s why University of Iowa Health Care works closely with the Division of Infectious Diseases and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services from screening to treatment.

While latent TB is an asymptomatic infection, it can become TB disease if untreated. Active TB disease can lead to severe complications and spread to other people. Luckily, medication can effectively treat active and latent TB.

In addition to helping our patients, our team also lends its expertise to the medical industry. Our team is part of an advisory group that provides consultation to medical and public health professionals.

What is tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs.

There are two primary types of tuberculosis:

TB disease: This is active pulmonary tuberculosis. People are sick with symptoms and can spread the bacteria. Medical treatment is required.
Latent TB: This is an asymptomatic form of infection. People have the TB bacteria but aren’t sick. They don’t have symptoms and can’t spread the bacteria. However, latent TB can develop into active TB disease without treatment.

Tuberculosis symptoms

Most people with latent TB don’t have any symptoms—and often don’t know they have it.

However, if you are at risk for TB or you’ve been exposed, you should get screened. If you have a positive skin or blood test, you will need to start treatment right away. Latent TB can develop into TB disease if it’s left untreated.

Signs of TB disease may include:

Cough (with possible blood or mucus)
Chest pain
Pain with coughing or breathing
Fever
Chills
Night sweats
Weight loss

Tuberculosis diagnosis

Two tests help determine if you have TB bacteria:

TB skin test (TST)
TB blood test

If the test is positive, you have TB bacteria—and you’ll need more testing. Additional tests may include a chest X-ray, sputum sample, and other tests. The results of these tests will let you know if you have TB disease or latent TB infection.

If you have symptoms of tuberculosis

TB is highly contagious and can lead to serious health problems. If you are experiencing any TB symptoms or if you know you have been exposed to TB, it’s important to contact your UI Health Care provider.

Your care team will help ensure you get the right testing and the best possible treatment as quickly as possible.

Tuberculosis treatment from UI Health Care

Tuberculosis needs treatment, whether it’s latent or active. Untreated latent TB can lead to active TB disease. Untreated active TB disease can cause extensive lung damage and spread easily throughout communities.

Tuberculosis medication

Medication treats tuberculosis and varies by diagnosis.

TB disease treatment: Multiple drugs in a six- to nine-month period. This kills the bacteria that has already made you sick.
Latent TB treatment: Single drug in a nine- to 12-month period. This kills the bacteria before it makes you sick.

Even though people with latent TB are often asymptotic, treatment is necessary. It’s impossible to separate those at the highest risks from those who aren’t—and treatment prevents the development of active TB disease.

The importance of early care

The sooner you are diagnosed with tuberculosis, the sooner you can start your treatment—and reduce the risk of spreading it to others.

Active TB is highly contagious, spreading easily through the air when you cough, sneeze, and so on.

Tuberculosis can spread more easily in crowded living conditions, dense populations, or crowded gatherings. People with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk of catching TB.

A team approach with public health

Our pulmonology team works hand-in-hand with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and its TB Control Program. This program aims to eliminate TB disease in Iowa.

As a unified team, we work together to:

Diagnose patients
Provide effective treatment for people who have tuberculosis
Help people who have TB complete the long treatment protocol

In this continued collaboration, we are proud to provide access to the best resources and patient care.

TB treatment plan compliance

Your provider will walk you through your tuberculosis treatment plan. They’ll make sure you understand your medications and other specific requirements.

If you have active TB, you’ll need to participate in a directly observed therapy. This tends to be more effective than doing it on your own. You will meet regularly with your Department of Health and Human Services public health official for medication throughout your entire treatment.

This direct observed therapy helps:

Prevent medicine mistakes
Eliminate treatment gaps so it can finish on-time
Stop the spread of TB
Minimize the risk of drug-resistance from incomplete treatment
Decrease the chance of treatment failure
Prevent relapse

While you may feel better after taking medication for a few weeks, don’t stop. You need to complete the entire treatment course to kill the TB bacteria.

Dedicated to your treatment success

We know that the tuberculosis treatment protocol is long, and it can feel intimidating.

Our UI Health Care team, along with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, is here to help. We’ll make sure you have everything you need to complete your tuberculosis treatment, and we’ll answer any questions you have along the way.

TB risk factors

Some people and some groups are at a higher risk of getting tuberculosis. This may include:

Health and childcare workers
Household contacts of persons known or suspected to have TB
Medically underserved, low-income persons and high-risk ethnic minorities
People from countries with high TB incidence (Latin America, Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands, Africa)
People with conditions known to increase risk of TB, such as HIV infections, chronic poor nutrition, chronic renal failure, and diabetes
Residents of chronic care facilities and correctional institutions

If you have any of these risk factors, please reach out to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services for screening. Together, we will help you determine next steps for continued monitoring or treatment.