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The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

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Tuberculosis (TB)

Florida Department of Health in Hernando County

What Is TB? 

TB [tuberculosis] is a bacterial disease that most often infects the lungs. It dates back to Biblical days. TB is spread through droplet infection -- germs are spread through the air via laughing, coughing, or sneezing. A person who develops TB may become very ill, however with proper treatment TB is nearly always curable.

Services Available from the Florida Department of Health in Hernando County 

Globally, at least one person is infected with TB per second, and someone dies of TB every 10 seconds. The Department's TB Program wants to help reverse that. Skin testing for TB, chest x-rays, medication for TB disease or infection, and directly observed therapy, a program designed to ensure infected persons take their prescribed medication are provided.

Signs and Symptoms of TB 

These are the classic symptoms:

  • significant weight loss
  • night sweats
  • cough
  • fever
  • shortness of breath
  • positive skin test

TB Tests 

Anyone can be tested, including adults, children, pregnant women, people with a a cold, and those who have had a Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) Vaccine.

Risk Assessment Consultation and Testing is performed by licensed and trained nursing staff. The decision as to what type of testing is done is based on consultation with the staff. Cost is determined by what type of testing is done.

TB Infection 

If someone's skin test is positive but the chest x-ray is negative, the person is said to be TB-infected -- but not considered to be contagious. Based upon the patient's age and risk factors, our TB doctor will order the appropriate medication.

More Information 

  • Health Department / Health Center TB Program - (352) 540-6800
  • Florida Hot Line - (800) 4TB-INFO (482-4636)