Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick.
Some people develop TB disease soon after becoming infected (within weeks) before their immune system can fight the TB germs. Other people have latent TB infection and may get sick years later, when their immune system becomes weak for another reason. Treating latent TB infection is effective in preventing TB disease.
Tuberculosis Fact Sheet
Learn more about symptoms, transmission, testing, and treatment.
Symptoms
General symptoms may include feeling weak or sick, weight loss, fever, and/or night sweats. Symptoms of TB of the lungs may include cough, chest pain, and/or coughing up blood. TB can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, kidneys, or spine. Other symptoms depend on the part of the body that is affected. TB disease in the lungs may cause symptoms such as:
- Cough that lasts three weeks or longer
- Pain in the chest
- Coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs)
Other symptoms of TB disease are weakness or fatigue, weight loss, no appetite, chills, fever, and sweating at night. People who have latent TB infection do not feel sick, do not have any symptoms, and cannot spread TB to others.
Testing and Treatment
Persons at high risk of exposure to tuberculosis should be retested at regular intervals. Persons who have been in contact with someone who has active Tuberculosis should be tested as soon as possible. Anyone who might be or is infected with the HIV virus should be tested also.
The Florida Department of Health in Brevard County (DOH-Brevard) provides services necessary to identify, investigate, and assist in the treatment of tuberculosis infection and disease.
TB screening services are provided in the Titusville, Viera and Melbourne Clinic locations, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., by appointment only.
To schedule an appointment for the Melbourne Clinic, please call 321-726-2909.
To schedule an appointment for the Titusville or Viera Clinic, please call 321-637-7300.
Staff is available to provide counseling and education to families and individuals when Tuberculosis is a possibility.