Tuberculosis (TB) Screening

British Columbia Specific Information

Tuberculosis (TB), is a serious disease. TB is caused by bacteria that spread through the air when a person with contagious TB coughs, sneezes, sings or talks. TB usually affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body like glands, bones, joints, kidneys, the brain and reproductive organs.

For more information on TB, including testing and home isolation, visit:

For more information about TB, including information about TB clinics and programs, visit BC Centre for Disease Control:Tuberculosis.

Overview

The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends TB testing for people at increased risk for TB infection. These may include those who:footnote 1

  • Live or spend time with someone who has TB.
  • Were born in parts of the world where TB is common.
  • Live or have lived in crowded conditions where TB can easily spread, such as nursing homes, homeless shelters, or correctional facilities.
  • Work in a hospital or nursing home.

You may also be tested for TB if you have HIV, other medical problems, or misuse drugs or alcohol.

References

Citations

  1. Greenaway C, et al. (2014). Tuberculosis surveillance and screening in selected high-risk populations. In Canadian Tuberculosis Standards 7th ed., chap. 13. Public Health Agency of Canada. http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tbpc-latb/pubs/tb-canada-7/tb-standards-tb-n…. Accessed October 14, 2016.

Credits

Current as of: October 31, 2022

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
R. Steven Tharratt MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care Medicine, Medical Toxicology
W. David Colby IV MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease