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Clinic Information
Our mission is to prevent the spread of
Tuberculosis by treating individuals infected with TB and by the
continual testing of those suspected to carry this disease.
Our hours
of operation effective September 8, 2008 are 7am-4:30p.m., Monday
through Thursday. Closed on Friday.
Skin tests are provided on Mondays and Tuesdays. Consequently, those
tests are read on Wednesdays and Thursdays. All skin tests must be read
within 48-72 hours of placement. Be aware that the clinic may be closed
on certain holidays and skin testing or reading schedules may be
affected.
Skin
Testing
Skin
tests are performed for clients who have been exposed to active TB or
who meet the criteria for high risk infection. Individuals considered
at high risk are those born in other countries, or with immune
deficiencies such as HIV, cancer, or diabetes. Also, lifestyle
experiences such as excessive alcohol and/or drug consumption, or
imprisonment may also put an individual at risk for contracting TB.
Skin tests are routinely performed
for clients who may need to stay in close-quarter living conditions such
as a shelter or detention center.
Due to the large volume of
clientele, we are not able to perform skin tests to meet employment or
education requirements, but we are happy to refer you to other community
clinics that provide these services at a minimal cost.
Positive Skin Test
If your skin test is positive, you
will be interviewed by a nurse and given a chest x-ray to determine your
treatment needs. You may be infected with the bacteria that causes TB,
but not actually have active TB disease. In this case, the physician
will recommend preventive therapy in the form of antibiotics.
If your skin test is
positive
and
your chest
x-ray indicates active disease, you will be tested further to determine
the best treatment. You will also be informed on how to protect those
around you from contracting TB.
Links for TB Disease Information
Questions and Answers about TB:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/tb/faqs/qa.htm
TB and HIV:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/tb/pubs/tbfactsheets/tbandhiv_eng.htm
TB and Pregnancy:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/tb/pubs/tbfactsheets/250160.htm
BCG Vaccine:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/tb/pubs/tbfactsheets/250120.htm
Protecting Friends and Family:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/tb/pubs/pamphlets/TB_contact_investigation.pdf
World Health Organization TB Information:
http://www.who.int/tb/strategy/en/
Stop TB Strategy:http://www.who.int/tb/features_archive/stop_tb_strategy/en/index.html
Links in Spanish:
http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/enfermedades/tb.html
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