Maine CDC Health Advisory

March 24, 2023

Think. Test. Treat Tuberculosis (TB) in Maine

March 24 is World TB Day. World TB Day is a time to recognize achievements and to renew our commitment to ending tuberculosis (TB) in the United States.

Recognize the signs and symptoms of TB disease, test for TB infection, and treat latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease.

  • Consider TB disease in patients with symptoms such as hemoptysis, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, night sweats, fever, and cough for more than 3 weeks, regardless of presence/absence of risk factors for TB disease.
  • TB testing is recommended for patients with risk factors for becoming infected with TB such as foreign-born persons from countries with elevated rates of TB and history of working or living in a congregate setting (i.e., homeless shelters, correctional facilities, detention centers, and long-term care facilities).
  • Timely completion of TB treatment is critical. Treatment for both LTBI and TB disease should be initiated early to avoid disease progression and further spread of TB. Make sure patients take all doses as prescribed to prevent severe disease and death, decrease risk of developing multi-drug resistance, and mitigate spread of TB to others.

Advisory (PDF)