Arkansas Department of Health

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Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal. 

The mission of the TB Program is to prevent, control, and eliminate tuberculosis in Arkansas.

The ADH TB Program is responsible for all TB control activities in Arkansas including diagnosis and treatment of all TB cases and contact investigations around infectious cases. The program provides treatment for persons diagnosed with latent TB infection. Other activities include:

1. TB education for clinicians and the general population
2. Comprehensive laboratory support with microscopy
3. Culture, sensitivity and genotyping of specimens
4. The TB program conducts targeted screening of high-risk populations such as international students from TB endemic countries that are attending colleges and universities.

 

 

 

 

 

• Datos Básicos Sobre la Tuberculosis 

For the TB Morbidity and Mortality Reports, click here.

For more information about TB, choose any of the following links:

• TB Rules
• How TB Spreads
• LTBI and TB Disease
• Signs and Symptoms
• TB Risk Factors
• Exposure to TB
• TB Prevention
• TB Treatment
• Vaccines
• TB & HIV Co-infection
• TB Terms
• TB Flyer & Fact Sheet

TB Testing

ADH provides TB Skin Tests to the following individuals:

1. ADH employees during annual testing
2. Children of high-risk populations when presenting for any service such as WIC of Immunizations
3. Persons determined by the State TB Control Office

ADH offers TB testing to the following individuals:

1. TB Suspects/Cases
2. Contacts of Suspects/Cases
3. Newly diagnosed HIV positive patients
4. Foreign born maternity patients 

All other individuals requiring testing for employment (employees of hospitals, nursing homes, correctional facilities, etc.) should see their employer, primary care provider, or another healthcare provider.

Outreach for Homeless Shelters, Nursing Homes, and other High-Risk Areas

ADH provides education opportunities as well as TB testing for high-risk facilities. To set up a testing and/or education event please contact the TB control office at 501-661-2152.

The ADH TB Program partners with Heartland National TB Center for employee training, medical consultation, technical assistance, and educational and consultative products. Find more information at Heartland National TB Center.

Office	Address	Phone	Fax
TB Program	4815 W. Markham Street, Slot 33 Little Rock, AR 72205	501-661-2152	501-661-2226