Testing for TB is available at the Summit County Health Department.
Call to schedule an appointment:
Park City Office: 435-333-1500
Coalville Office: 435-336-3234
Kamas Office: 435-783-4351 ext. 3071
You must be available 48 – 72 hours after the first appointment to come back for the TB test to be read.
What is TB?
TB is a disease caused by bacteria. These bacteria can attack any part of your body, but it usually attacks the lungs.
How is TB Spread?
TB is spread through the air from one person to another. The bacteria are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs coughs, sneezes, shouts or sings. People who share close air space for 4 to 8 hours may breathe in these bacteria and become infected.
- Only people with active TB disease in the lungs can spread the disease.
- TB is not spread on clothing, food, eating utensils, or objects.
- People with with positive skin tests require more testing to determine if they actually have active disease and can spread it to others.
The Summit County Health Department is responsible for finding out who the close contacts are of the person with contagious TB disease and will provide free skin testing for them. If you have questions please call 435-333-1500.
What is TB disease?
TB bacteria become active if the immune system can’t stop them from growing. The active bacteria begin to multiply in the body and cause TB disease. Symptoms of TB disease include:
- Weight loss
- Night sweats
If you have any of these symptoms, please contact your health care provider.
TB disease can almost always be cured by medicine. A specialist and the Health Department supervise treatment.
What is TB infection?
Most people who breathe in TB bacteria are able to fight off and stop the bacteria from growing into active disease. The bacteria become inactive but remain alive. This is called TB infection. TB infection can become active TB disease in these people later in their life. People with TB infection:
- Have a positive TB skin test
- Have a normal chest x-ray
- Have no symptoms
- Do not feel sick
- Cannot spread TB to others
- Can develop TB disease later in life if not treated for their infection
Treatment for TB infection consists of one antibiotic taken daily for nine months. This will reduce the risk for developing TB disease. Talk to your health care provider about this important treatment.
What if I Have Been Vaccinated Against BCG?
If you were vaccinated with BCG, you may have a positive reaction to the TB skin test. Your positive reaction may mean that you have TB infection if:
- Your TB skin test result is greater than or equal to 10 mm
- You were vaccinated many years ago
- You have ever spent time with a person with infectious TB
- You are from a country where TB disease is very common
- See your health care provider for verification of test results