Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that is caused by the bacterium Mycobacteria tuberculosis. There are two conditions: latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease.

LTBI means that an individual has the TB bacteria in the body, but are not sick and are not contagious. TB disease means that an individual has TB bacteria in the body, and it has made them sick and they can spread the disease to others.

TB is spread through the air from person to person through small respiratory particles. When someone with TB disease cough, speaks, sings, or laughs, they can spread the TB bacteria in the air. If there are people nearby, they can breathe in the bacteria and get infected.

Tuberculosis Program

The Tuberculosis Program is committed to protecting Seminole County residents and visitors from the spread of TB by performing the following activities:

• Case management for persons with TB disease and their close contacts
• LTBI treatment
• TB training and technical assistance related for healthcare and community-based organizations
• TB testing for individuals at high risk for LTBI and TB disease
• Surveillance of LTBI and TB disease to direct prevention and control activities

Additional Resources

• Florida Tuberculosis Information
• National Tuberculosis Information