Latent TB Klinic

Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) Frequently Asked Questions

What is LTBI?

  • When people get infected with the TB (Tuberculosis) bacteria, usually their immune systems make the TB bacteria “go to sleep”. This is called a Latent or sleeping TB infection. They don’t have any symptoms of active TB and can’t spread the TB bacteria to anyone else.
  • The usual test for latent TB is the TST (Tuberculin Skin Test or Mantoux Test)

Why do I need to be seen? My doctor said my chest X-ray was normal.

  •   Klinic receives referrals from practitioners when a TST comes back positive or significant, with a reading of 10 mm or more in diameter.
  • A chest X-ray helps to rule out active TB illness, and lets us see if there has possibly been active TB illness in the past.
  • Your appointment is to complete an assessment and provide you with information specific to you

What is the Risk of the LTBI waking up and making me sick?

  • There are several risk factors which we consider when assessing clients in the LTBI program. Generally, the average person with LTBI has around a 5% lifetime chance of the LTBI waking up and becoming active.
  • This percentage increases based on certain health conditions, specifically medical conditions which are immune-suppressing (i.e. HIV/AIDS, diabetes or some cancers), or being on immune-suppressing medications.

Is treatment mandatory? What are my treatment options?

  • Treatment for LTBI is not mandatory, as it is a preventative treatment.
  • It is generally recommended for people who have been a recent contact to active TB, for people who have immune-suppressing health conditions, or for people under the age of 40 with a screening test for work or school.
  • There are currently three treatment options available to LTBI clients, with varying treatment schedules:
  1. Isoniazid (INH)/Rifapentine – taken once a week for twelve weeks, observed       by a healthcare provider at Klinic. This is the shortest treatment option.
  2. Rifampin – taken once daily at home for four months. However, there is currently a shortage of this medication, so it may not be an option.
  3. Isoniazid (INH) – taken once daily at home for nine months.
  • At your appointment, you will discuss with a nurse and a practitioner what treatment option may be best for you. All of these prescriptions are kept here at Klinic, and are provided at no cost to LTBI clients.