What is latent TB infection?

TB bacteria can live in the body without making you sick. This is called latent TB infection. In most people who breathe in TB bacteria and become infected, the body is able to fight the bacteria to stop them from growing. People with latent TB infection: Have no symptoms.

How do you treat latent TB?

As of 2018, there are four CDC-recommended treatment regimens for latent TB infection that use isoniazid (INH), rifapentine (RPT), and/or rifampin (RIF). All the regimens are effective. Healthcare providers should prescribe the more convenient shorter regimens, when possible.

What is the latent period for TB?

Incubation period of tuberculosis The period from infection to development of the primary lesion or significant tuberculin reaction is about 3–9 weeks.

What is latent TB and how is it currently diagnosed?

The main ways to diagnose LTBI are by placing a tuberculin skin test (TST) on the forearm or by getting a TB blood test, in addition to obtaining a chest radiograph (x-ray) if either one of these tests is positive. One-third of the world’s population has LTBI. The TB germs are dormant (asleep) in the body.

Can latent TB go away by itself?

Treatment of latent TB lasts for months. The standard therapy is a drug called isoniazid, usually prescribed as a nine-month course.

Do I need to worry if I have latent TB?

There is no need to be worried. Latent TB can be treated before it can cause active TB, and all testing and treatment for TB is free and confidential for everyone.

What is the difference between TB infection and TB disease?

There is a difference between TB infection and TB disease. When a person has been exposed to someone with TB disease and has breathed in the TB germs, that person may become infected with TB. In most cases, people with healthy immune systems can contain the infection at that point and not become ill with TB disease.

Can latent TB become active?

However, latent TB bacteria can ‘wake up’ and become active in the future, making you ill. This can happen many years after you first breathe in TB bacteria. Latent TB bacteria are more likely to wake up if you experience lifestyle stresses or other illnesses that weaken your immune system.

Can latent TB come back after treatment?

After I finish treatment for TB infection, can I get TB infection again? Yes. The treatment you receive for TB infection only treats the TB germs in your body now. There is the possibility that you can be around someone else with TB disease and get new TB germs.

What drugs treat latent TB?

The medications used to treat latent TB infection include the following: Isoniazid (INH) Rifapentine (RPT) Rifampin (RIF)…Short course regimens include:

• Three months of once-weekly isoniazid plus rifapentine (3HP)
• Four months of daily rifampin (4R)
• Three months of daily isoniazid plus rifampin (3HR)