Latent Tuberculosis Infection

Risk Factors

Some of the most common risk factors of latent TB include:

• Close Contact With Someone Who Has Active TB: People who live or work in close quarters with someone who has active TB, such as family members or healthcare workers, are at higher risk of exposure to the TB bacteria.
• Travel to High-Risk Areas: Travelling to areas with high rates of TB, such as some parts of Africa, Asia, and South America, can increase the risk of exposure to the TB bacteria.
• Weakened Immune System: People with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS, organ transplant recipients, or people receiving certain cancer treatments, are at higher risk of developing latent TB infection.
• Previous TB infection: People who have had TB in the past are at higher risk of developing latent TB infection again.

Diagnosis or Complications

Diagnosis of latent TB infection is usually done with a skin or blood test. If the test results are positive, they will need further tests to determine whether they have an active or latent TB infection.

The following tests may be used to diagnose latent TB infection:

• Tuberculin Skin Test (TST): A small amount of fluid (protein) is injected under the skin, and the size of the reaction is measured after a few days. If the reaction is positive, it shows that the person has been exposed to the TB bacteria.
• Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs): IGRAs are blood tests that measure the body’s immune response to TB bacteria. IGRAs are more specific than TSTs and are less likely to give a false positive result.

Treatment & Prevention

Treatment for latent TB infection is typically a course of antibiotics taken for several months. The specific antibiotics used and the length of treatment will depend on the individual case. It may vary depending on the patient’s age, overall health, and the results of any tests.

Preventing the progression of latent TB infection to active TB is important to help reduce the spread of TB and improve overall health. To help prevent the progression of latent TB infection, it’s important to:

• Maintain a Healthy Immune System: Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep to help maintain a strong immune system.
• Avoid Exposure to TB: If you work in a high-risk environment, such as a healthcare setting, take precautions to avoid exposure to TB.
• Get Treated: If you have a latent TB infection, seek medical attention and follow all treatment instructions carefully to help prevent the progression to active TB.

If you feel you have symptoms of a TB infection, a healthcare provider can perform tests to determine whether you have latent TB infection or active TB and can provide appropriate treatment to help reduce the risk of complications and the spread of the disease.