prevention

Last reviewed 01/2018

Tuberculosis is a notifiable disease and so it's incidence is monitored by the CCDC (centres for communicable disease control) in the UK.

In the event of a diagnosis of tuberculosis the trace contacts of the patient should undergo a Mantoux test and chest radiography. Consult local guidelines for detailed advice.

The NICE tuberculosis (TB) guideline provides guidance based on whether a patient has latent TB (evidence of previous infection and TB is dormant) or have active TB (an ongoing TB related illness such as pulmonary TB). The information concerning diagnosis and management of latent TB infection is linked.

BCG vaccination may be advised for certain groups who are negative for TB infection but considered at risk of subsequent development of TB.

Reference:

  1. NICE (March 2006). Tuberculosis Clinical diagnosis and management of tuberculosis, and measures for its prevention and control
  2. MeReC bulletin (2003); 14(3):9-12