Contact with Infectious Cases as a Risk Factor for Exposure to Tuberculosis Bacilli

Figure: Spread of Infection on Contact with an Infectious TB Case

• Contact and exposure to tuberculosis bacilli from an infectious TB case can occur in a household setting or in any social setting (school, workplace, market etc.).
• Adequate ventilation, social distancing, counselling for correct sputum disposal and following proper cough etiquette can prevent the transmission of TB bacilli from active TB patients to close contact persons significantly.
• Early diagnosis and treatment reduce the infectivity and prevent the spread of TB infection to close contact persons.
• Drug-susceptible TB (DS-TB) patients who cough or sneeze can transmit DS-TB while drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) patients can transmit DR-TB infection.

Resources

• Training Module (1-4) for Program Managers and Medical Officers, NTEP, MoHFW, 2020.