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Today is World Tuberculosis (TB) Day!

“Yes! We Can End TB”

Why this day matters: Today, March 24, is World Tuberculosis (TB) Day. It was on this day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced the discovery of the bacterium that causes tuberculosis. Awareness drives early diagnosis, effective treatment, and infection prevention measures that protect patients, staff, and communities.

What is TB?
Tuberculosis disease is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection. Although there are over 80 species of Mycobacterium, only Mycobacterium tuberculosis pathogen can cause TB disease. TB usually affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can also occur in the throat (laryngeal) and other organs (extrapulmonary).
When TB spreads from the lungs through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to other organs, it is called disseminated TB.  

Latent vs. Active
• Active TB Disease: symptomatic and potentially infectious if lungs or larynx are involved.  
• Latent TB Infection (LTBI): TB bacteria are present, but there are no symptoms, and the person is not infectious once pulmonary or laryngeal disease has been ruled out.  

How TB spreads
TB spreads through the air when someone with active pulmonary or laryngeal TB coughs, speaks, sings, or sneezes. Airborne droplet nuclei can remain suspended for minutes to hours. Good ventilation reduces risk. Because TB is an airborne disease, appropriate airborne precautions, respiratory protection, and ventilation are critical to prevent transmission.		Global Trends
One of the deadliest infectious diseases worldwide, challenged by uneven funding and gaps in care limiting progress toward elimination.

Annual TB deaths still exceed 1.5 million, and drug‑resistant TB (DR‑TB) poses a major threat, risking the progress made over past decades TB control aligns with the 3rd UN Sustainable Development Goal (Good health and well-being), aiming to end the TB epidemic by 2030  

Signs & Symptoms
• Cough lasting more than 3 weeks
• Chest pain or coughing up blood
• Fever or night sweats
• Fatigue
• Unintended weight loss or loss of appetite  

Who is at higher risk?
• Close contacts of someone with infectious TB
• People born in or recently living in  

TB‑endemic countries
• Individuals with HIV or weakened immunity
• People in crowded/poorly ventilated settings
• People with limited access to healthcare

TB IS PREVENTABLE & TREATABLE

  • Early testing and treatment stop TB from spreading.
  • Active TB can be cured with combination medicines when taken as prescribed.
  • Treating Latent TB Infection (LTBI) prevents future TB disease.
  • Good ventilation and appropriate respiratory protection in healthcare settings reduce risk.

For Health Care Providers

  • Use airborne precautions for suspected/confirmed pulmonary or laryngeal TB (fit‑tested N95 or higher).
  • Evaluate patients with persistent cough (>3 weeks) or other classic symptoms and risk factors.
  • Coordinate referrals and ensure rapid linkage to diagnostic testing and treatment.

Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) Takeaway:

TB is an airborne infection. Early recognition of symptoms, timely reporting, good ventilation, and adherence to airborne precautions are essential to protect patients, caregivers, and healthcare workers.

Referrals to VNS Health

Patients with suspected TB or a history of TB who are referred for services must be cleared by Provider Services Infection Prevention & Control: [email protected]

Thank you,
Catherine

Catherine Schaefer
Vice President, Provider Quality Services