Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by germs that are spread from
person to person through the air. TB usually affects the lungs, but it
can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys,
or the spine. A person with TB can die if they do not get treatment.
The general symptoms of TB disease include feelings
of sickness or weakness, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. The
symptoms of TB disease of the lungs also include coughing, chest pain,
and the coughing up of blood. Symptoms of TB disease in other parts of
the body depend on the area affected.
TB germs are put into the air when a person with active TB
disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. These
germs can stay in the air for several hours, depending on the
environment. Persons who breathe in the air containing these TB germs
can become infected; this is called latent TB infection.
People with latent TB infection have TB
germs in their bodies, but they are not sick because the germs are not
active. These people do not have symptoms of TB disease, and they cannot
spread the germs to others. However, they may develop TB disease in the
future. They are often prescribed treatment to prevent them from
developing TB disease.
People with TB disease are sick from TB germs that
are active, meaning that they are multiplying and destroying tissue in
their body. They usually have symptoms of TB disease. People with TB
disease of the lungs or throat are capable of spreading germs to others.
They are prescribed drugs that can treat TB disease.
State requirements for international students
All
international students coming to Indiana State university are required
to have a Quantiferon blood test for Tuberculosis.
The
blood test is drawn in the lab at the Student Health Center on Monday
through Friday between the hours of 9am - 4pm.
The
results will come to the Student Health center and the international
student will be notified. If the result is positive, the student
will be required to have a chest x-ray and further lab work.
If
the Chest x-ray rules out active disease the student will receive
medication to be taken daily for a period of 9 months.