October 22, 2003—The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has added a Safety and Health Topic Page on Tuberculosis. The site includes information about Tuberculosis, as well as links to other TB-related sites, occupationally related publications on Tuberculosis, respiratory protection information, and NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluations (HHE).
According to the site, health care and correctional facilities workers have long been at risk of contracting Tuberculosis (TB). Cases in health care workers constitute 3 percent of all TB cases. TB is a potentially severe contagious disease that is spread from person to person through the air. The TB germs may spray into the air if a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, speaks, or sneezes. Anyone nearby can breathe TB germs into their lungs.
Further, the site explains that people with TB infection do not feel sick and do not have any symptoms. However, they may develop TB disease at some time in the future. TB usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys, or the spine. NIOSH says that if people have TB disease, they need medical help; if they do not receive help, the disease can be fatal.
