Tuberculosis (TB) infection is extremely common: an estimated one-quarter of the world’s population is infected. People with TB infection risk developing TB disease and this risk depends on multiple factors, the most important being the state of their immune system. Show TB preventive treatment stops TB infection from progressing to disease in those who are infected and can protect both the individual and the community from TB. WHO develops guidelines and operational handbooks to accelerate increased treatment coverage in countries. Tools such as the Prevent TB platform support national health systems to strengthen their strategic information. In addition, WHO supports countries to prevent TB infections through guidance and implementation of infection prevention and control measures. These measures are critical in situations where the risk of TB transmission is high, such as health-care facilities, congregate settings and TB-affected households. WHO also promotes preventive action through early screening and treatment for active TB, by addressing co-morbidities and health risks as well as social determinants of the disease, and by promoting access to universal health care. Additionally, WHO advises and guides the TB vaccine development activities of the global research community through scientific consensus-building, guidance on vaccine evaluation, and assessment of the evidence base for policy recommendations.
Impact
1.8 million peopleliving with HIVwere started on TB preventive treatment in 2018. Global TB Report350 000 childrenunder 5 years of ageor 27% of those eligible received TB preventive treatment in 2018. Global TB Report1 in 4people globallyis estimated to be infected by TB bacteria. Global TB Report
WHO Teams
Related technical units
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is transmitted in airborne particles called droplet nuclei that are expelled when persons with pulmonary or laryngeal TB cough, sneeze, shout, or sing. The tiny bacteria can be carried by air currents throughout a room or building. Tuberculosis is not transmitted by direct contact or via contaminated surfaces or items. Health care personnel are potentially exposed to TB during health care activities, case management activities, or when persons with unrecognized pulmonary TB are present in the facility. Facilities should establish TB infection control programs that include administrative, environmental, and respiratory protection measures to help prevent TB transmission among staff and visitors. Select one of the categories below to view topics related to the area.
In all settings, prompt recognition of individuals needing airborne precautions is the cornerstone to infection prevention.
Airborne precautions are used in addition to standard precautions to prevent disease transmission from individuals known or suspected to have diseases spread by fine particles, including TB.
In airborne precautions, patients may be asked to wear surgical masks outside of a negative pressure room. Health care personnel should only wear N95 or PAPR respirators and never wear surgical masks.
Patients with infectious TB can be released from home isolation when all of the following criteria are met:
Environmental controls are the second line of defense in TB infection control programs. Environmental controls include technologies for removal or inactivation of TB in the air. These technologies include:
You should be aware of the environment of your facility, including air flow, UV lighting, and availability of HEPA filters, negative pressure rooms, or alternative methods for achieving negative pressure. The CDC Guidelines for Preventing Transmission of TB in Healthcare Settings (see Table 1) specifies the amount of clearance time required based on the number of air exchanges that occur in the room per hour. Contact your building maintenance staff if you do not know the air exchange rate of the room.
Administrative measures to establish TB precautions include:
Questions about TB? Contact Us! Last Revised: December 28, 2021 |