Although it is not a blood-borne pathogen, staff at the SHS could be exposed to Tuberculosis (TB). TB primarily infects the lungs and is relatively easily transmitted by coughing.

The SHS Tuberculosis Control Program is briefly mentioned here, and additional information is found in the Tuberculosis Exposure Policy in the ECP notebook in your work area.

TB surveillance 

All staff members are required to have a TB skin test (or a chest x-ray) every year. This is to determine whether employees have been exposed to TB in the past, and to provide a baseline to evaluate any future exposures. New employees who have not had a recent TB skin test will be given a two-step TB test, consisting of a second TB skin test given two weeks after the first TB skin test.

Patients with possible acute TB

If a patient comes to the SHS complaining of a productive cough lasting more than 2 weeks, fever, night sweats and/or recent weight loss, place the patient in Room A or D with the door closed. Ask them to wear a mask and ask the patient to cover their mouth with tissue when coughing or sneezing. Immediately tell one of the Acute Care nurses. For more information, see the Tuberculosis Exposure Policy in the ECP notebook in your work area. 

Test Question When you click on the correct answer, you will proceed to the next screen. If you click on the wrong answer, you will not proceed, and must select a different answer.

Symptoms of Tuberculosis include: