Tuberculosis (TB)

In Pennsylvania, tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that must be reported to health officials. The Bethlehem Health Bureau (BHB) helps people in Bethlehem City by running a TB clinic monthly. Here’s what we do for people with TB, those who might have it, and those who are at risk:

 -  We give medicine to treat and prevent TB.

•  -  We help patients get the lab tests and X-rays they need.

 -  We make sure patients take their medicine properly by checking on them in       person.

•  -  We investigate to stop the spread of TB and keep everyone safe.

For information on the Bethlehem Health Bureau’s TB clinic, please call 610-865-7083

A blood test called an Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) is offered in some cases instead of the TST to help diagnose either LTBI or TB disease. This test is not affected by the BCG vaccination

BHB TB Referral Form
 

Educational Materials:

• Think TB Poster
• Take on TB Fact Sheet
• Take on Latent TB Fact Sheet

• Productive and prolonged cough
• Fever
• Chills
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Night sweatsProductive and prolonged cough
• Fever
• Chills
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Night sweats

• Close contacts of persons known or suspected to have TB disease
• Foreign-born persons, including children, from areas that have a high TB prevalence. Highest risk is among those in the US less than six years.
• Frequent travelers to TB endemic areas.
• Residents and employees of high risk settings
• Some medically underserved, low-income populations (defined locally)
• Infants, children, and adolescents exposed to adults in high-risk categories
• Individuals who inject illicit drugs
• Incarcerated individuals
• Health care workers who serve high-risk clients

• HIV infection
• Recent infection with M. tuberculosis (within the past 2 years), especially infants and very young children
• Medical conditions known to increase the risk for disease if infection occurs
• Current use of illicit drugs
• History of inadequately treated TB disease