| Do your CNAs know that one third of the world's | | | | properly, Directly Observed Therapy was developed. |
| population is infected with tuberculosis? While TB | | | | This is the name for the TB treatment in which |
| rates are down in the U.S., tuberculosis continues to | | | | healthcare professionals or other individuals actually |
| be a serious problem. By sharing the following | | | | watch people taking their anti-TB medications. |
| information and tips at your next CNA inservice | | | | Signs & Symptoms of TB |
| meeting, you'll arm your aides with the knowledge | | | | - A productive cough lasting longer than two weeks |
| they need to continue the fight against TB. | | | | - Chest pain |
| What's the Deal with Tuberculosis? | | | | - Coughing up blood |
| One hundred years ago TB was the number one | | | | - Fever and chills |
| cause of death in the United States. But, who cares? | | | | - Sweating at night |
| That was one hundred years ago! We've come a | | | | - Loss of appetite |
| long way in controlling TB since then, right? Well, yes... | | | | - Weight loss |
| and no. | | | | - Constant tiredness |
| Yes, we have tests to tell if people have TB and we | | | | How Is TB Spread? |
| have drugs to treat the disease. And, we've learned | | | | - The germs that cause TB are spread through the |
| how to protect healthcare workers from being | | | | air. |
| infected and how to keep other patients in a hospital | | | | - TB can be spread from one person to another by |
| safe from a patient with TB. | | | | coughing, laughing, sneezing, singing or even talking. |
| But, the bacteria that cause TB are not giving up! Still, | | | | - Tuberculosis is usually spread between family |
| nearly 14,000 new cases of TB are reported each | | | | members, close friends, and people who spend time |
| year in the United States. The TB bacteria have | | | | in crowded places together over long periods of time |
| learned how to outsmart our best drugs. And, they | | | | such as jails and homeless shelters. |
| like to attack people who have weak immune | | | | The Tip Five Ways You Can Help Stop TB! |
| systems-like people with AIDS. | | | | 1. KNOW THE SIGNS OF TUBERCULOSIS. |
| These tiny bacteria cause a serious disease that | | | | Remember that the symptoms of active tuberculosis |
| usually attacks and damages the lungs, but can also | | | | include a lasting cough, chest pain, fever, chills, night |
| affect other parts of the body like the kidneys, the | | | | sweats, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss. |
| spine and the brain. | | | | Keep an eye on your clients for these signs, |
| A third of the world's population (about 2 billion | | | | especially if they are over 65, are HIV+, have other |
| people) are infected with TB bacteria. And, one out | | | | chronic illnesses like diabetes or renal failure, or have |
| of every ten of those people will become sick with | | | | been exposed to someone else with TB. |
| active TB. | | | | 2. TELL YOUR SUPERVISOR IF ANY OF YOUR |
| So, it has never been more important to practice | | | | CLIENTS SHOW THE SIGNS OF TB. |
| proper infection control measures against TB. In fact, | | | | It's not up to you-or your supervisor-to diagnose |
| our government has "declared war" against TB. The | | | | tuberculosis. But you must report changes in your |
| goal is to get rid of the TB bacteria in the United | | | | clients that might mean they have TB. And, the |
| States by the year 2010! Reaching this goal will | | | | sooner, the better! |
| require your help-keep reading to find out how you | | | | Your supervisor will make sure the client gets tested |
| can become part of the solution! | | | | and that everyone who works with the client |
| TB Terms You Should Know | | | | protects themselves from possible infection. |
| EXPOSED: People are exposed to tuberculosis when | | | | 3. HELP YOUR CLIENTS WITH TB PRACTICE GOOD |
| they share the same air as a person who has | | | | INFECTION CONTROL. |
| infectious TB. | | | | Ask your clients to cover their mouth and nose with |
| TB SKIN TEST: There is a skin test for TB infection | | | | a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Then, throw the |
| in which a small amount of testing fluid is injected | | | | tissue in the trash. |
| just under the skin on the lower part of the arm. | | | | Air out their rooms if possible (unless they are in a |
| After two or three days, a health care worker | | | | special isolation room). TB spreads in small closed |
| checks for a positive reaction at the injection site. | | | | spaces where air can't move. Open a window if it's |
| You might hear this test called a "Mantoux" test or a | | | | not too cold. Consider using a fan to blow the room |
| "PPD" test. | | | | air out the window. |
| LATENT TB INFECTION: People with latent TB | | | | Remind your clients about how important it is that |
| infection have no symptoms, don't feel sick, can't | | | | they take their anti-TB medication. Don't let them |
| spread TB to others, and usually have a positive skin | | | | forget-especially when they start feeling better. |
| test reaction. But they may develop TB disease later | | | | 4. WEAR A PERSONAL RESPIRATOR MASK. |
| in life if they do not receive treatment for latent TB | | | | Whenever you work with clients who have active |
| infection. | | | | TB-or who might have it-you must wear a personal |
| TB DISEASE: People who show signs of being sick | | | | respirator mask. Remember that a paper mask will |
| from the tuberculosis bacteria are said to have TB | | | | not do any good. (The TB bacteria are small enough |
| disease. They have active or infectious tuberculosis | | | | to fit through the weave of a paper mask.) |
| disease-and can spread it to others. People with TB | | | | Be sure you have been fitted for the right size mask, |
| disease show signs of having TB when doctors | | | | and that you put in on before you enter the client's |
| check their chest x-rays and look at their sputum | | | | area. Wear it the entire time you are with the client |
| under a microscope. | | | | and take it off only after you leave! |
| MULTIDRUG-RESISTANT TB (MDR TB) - TB disease | | | | 5. HAVE YOUR TB SKIN TEST AND/OR YOUR |
| caused by bacteria resistant to more than one drug | | | | CHEST X-RAY ON SCHEDULE. |
| often used to treat TB. | | | | Don't ignore these important tests. If you don't know |
| QUARANTINE: Keeping people who have active TB | | | | when you are due for another TB test, ask your |
| disease in quarantine means that they are made to | | | | supervisor. Then, make sure you get it on |
| stay in a hospital or in their homes until they are no | | | | schedule-don't wait for someone to remind you. |
| longer infectious. | | | | Getting tested on time could make a difference to |
| DIRECTLY OBSERVED THERAPY (DOT): Because | | | | you, your clients, your coworkers and your family. |
| many people don't take their anti-TB medications | | | | |