Symptoms and Treatment

TB infection has dissolved the left lung

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on where in the body the TB bacteria are growing. TB bacteria usually grow in the lungs. TB in the lungs may cause symptoms such as:

• A bad cough that lasts two weeks or longer
• Chest pain
• Coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs)

Other symptoms of active TB disease are:

• Weakness or fatigue
• Weight loss
• No appetite
• Chills
• Fever
• Sweating at night

Treatment

The Southern Nevada Health District's TB Treatment and Control Clinic aggressively ensures people with active TB disease are appropriately treated. Once treatment is started, it is extremely important that it continue to completion so the TB does not become resistant to the treatment drugs. Several cases of multi-drug resistant TB and extensively drug resistant TB cases have been diagnosed in Clark County.

When doctors, hospitals or laboratories receive a positive tuberculosis test result, they are legally required to report it to the health district. The TB Clinic contacts the patient to assess his or her need for treatment and provides assistance with community resources.

Each patient with active or latent TB receives the following care:

• Public health nurses speak and/or see each patient with active TB five times a week to verify their food, shelter and other needs are met.
• The public health nurse ensures proper treatment, which includes directly observed therapy. This means directly observing the patient taking their medication.
• The attending doctor examines adult patients weekly and pediatric patients monthly.

Clinic staff do extended field contact investigation to find people the patient has come in contact with so we can get them tested and treated for TB, if necessary.

The TB Treatment and Control clinic is located at the North Las Vegas Public Health Center. Call (702) 759-1369 or email TBClinic@snhdmail.org for more information.