How To Avoid TB Infection
Avoiding tuberculosis (TB) infection—especially in high-risk environments—requires a mix of awareness, prevention, and health precautions. TB is spread through the air when someone with active TB coughs, speaks, or sneezes, so the key is to avoid prolonged exposure and support your immune system.
✅ How to Avoid TB Infection
1. Avoid Close, Prolonged Contact with Infected Individuals
- TB is not highly contagious like a cold, but it spreads through repeated or extended exposure in close quarters.
- If someone has active TB, avoid:
- Being in the same room for long periods
- Sharing air in small, poorly ventilated spaces
2. Ensure Good Ventilation
- TB bacteria linger in stale air, especially indoors.
- In high-risk settings (clinics, prisons, shelters):
- Open windows and doors
- Use HEPA filters or fans to circulate air
3. Wear a Mask in High-Risk Areas
- In hospitals, clinics, or regions with high TB prevalence:
- Use N95 respirators (not just cloth masks) for better protection.
- Healthcare workers: Follow CDC respiratory protection guidelines.
4. Get Tested if You’re at Risk
- TB tests:
- Skin test (TST)
- Blood test (IGRA)
- Important if you:
- Work in healthcare, shelters, or correctional facilities
- Live in or travel to TB-endemic countries
- Live with someone who has TB
5. Consider TB Preventive Therapy (TPT)
- If you test positive for latent TB infection, preventive medications like isoniazid or rifapentine can help stop it from becoming active.
- Especially important for:
- Immunocompromised people (e.g., HIV+)
- Young children
- People with recent exposure
6. Strengthen Your Immune System
A strong immune system helps prevent latent TB from activating:
- Eat a nutritious diet
- Avoid smoking
- Limit alcohol
- Manage chronic conditions (like diabetes, HIV)
7. Vaccination (BCG)
- The BCG vaccine is used in many countries to help prevent severe TB in children.
- Note: It does not prevent all forms of TB and is not routinely given in the U.S.
⚠️ High-Risk Environments for TB
| Environment | Risk Level |
|---|---|
| Prisons, shelters | High |
| Hospitals (especially TB wards) | High |
| Overcrowded housing | Medium–High |
| International travel (to endemic areas) | Medium |
✅ Summary: What You Can Do
| Prevention Strategy | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Limit exposure to TB cases | Reduces airborne transmission risk |
| Improve air flow | Dilutes TB bacteria in the air |
| Wear N95 masks in risky places | Blocks airborne TB particles |
| Get tested if exposed or at risk | Detects and treats latent TB early |
| Consider preventive treatment | Stops latent TB from becoming active |