Central Michigan District Health Department
The Tuberculosis Care Center of Central & Northern Michigan (TBCC) provides tuberculosis (TB) care to people living in the counties covered by District Health Department #10, Central Michigan District Health Department, and Mid-Michigan District Health Department. Services are provided regardless of resident’s ability to pay.
Services Provided at TBCC:
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Evaluation of positive TB tests
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Treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI)
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Treatment of TB disease
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Nursing case management including directly observed therapy (DOT)
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Contact investigations, testing, and follow up of contacts to infectious TB.
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Consultation with the TB program physician
Public
Contact your local county health department if you need routine TB testing.
Healthcare Providers:
If you suspect or have confirmed a case of TB disease living in one of the counties listed above, immediately report it to either the corresponding health department or TBCC at phone: 877-271-1362 or email: tbcc@cmdhd.org. In addition, you can complete the following referral form.
Please email/fax any relevant radiology and lab reports as well as narrative notes that have not been connected to MiHIN that may aid in the patient’s evaluation. Fax: 1-866-511-5756.
What is Tuberculosis (TB)?
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium (or germ) called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Other mycobacteria (such as Mycobacterium bovis) can also cause TB disease in people.
TB usually affects the lungs. TB can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys, or the spine. TB can also affect multiple parts of the body at the same time. For example, TB can affect both the lungs and lymph nodes.
Not everyone infected with TB germs becomes sick. There are two types of problems caused by TB: inactive TB (or latent TB infection) and active TB disease.
If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.
What is Inactive TB, or latent TB infection (LTBI)?
TB germs can live in the body without making you sick. This is called inactive TB, or latent TB infection. People with inactive TB are infected with TB germs, but they do not have active TB disease. They do not feel sick, do not have any symptoms, and cannot spread TB to others.
Without treatment, people with inactive TB can develop active TB disease at any time and become sick.
What is TB Disease?
TB germs can become active if the immune system can’t stop them from growing. When TB germs are active (multiplying in your body), this is called TB disease. People with active TB disease feel sick. They may also be able to spread the germs to people they spend time with every day. Without treatment, active TB disease can be fatal.
How TB spreads
TB disease is spread through the air from one person to another. The TB germs are put into the air when a person with active TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, speaks, or sings.
Contact Us:
Keeli Wilds BSN, RN
Public Health Nurse/TB Nurse Navigator
Donna Rohrs DHSc, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Jennifer Morse, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Medical Director
Phone: 877-271-1362
Fax: 866-511-5756
Email: TBCC@cmdhd.org
Mailing Address:
Central Michigan District Health Department
2012 E. Preston Ave., Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
These germs can stay in the air for several hours, depending on the environment. TB germs are more likely to spread in indoor areas or other places with poor air circulation (such as a closed vehicle) than in outdoor areas. People who breathe in the air become infected with TB.
People with TB disease are most likely to spread TB germs to people they spend time with every day.
Testing for TB
TB blood test
The TB blood test is also called an interferon-gamma release assay or IGRA. The TB blood test measures how your immune system reacts to the germs that cause TB. There are two TB blood tests approved for use in the United States: QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) and T-SPOT®.TB test (T-Spot).
TB skin test
For the TB skin test, a health care provider uses a small needle to put some testing material under the skin. You will need to return to your health care provider in two to three days to see if there is a reaction.
If your TB blood test or skin test result is positive
You probably have TB germs in your body. Your health care provider will do other tests to determine if you have inactive TB or active TB disease. These tests may include a chest x-ray, and a test of the sputum (phlegm) you cough up.
Treatment
If you have inactive TB or LTBI, treating it is the best way to protect you from getting sick with active TB disease.
If you have active TB disease, you can be treated with medicine. You will need to take and finish all of your TB medicine as directed by your health care provider. This is to help you feel better and prevent other people from getting sick.
Source: www.cdc.gov/tb