Texas Center for Infectious Disease Commemorates World TB Day
News Release
Mar. 24, 2022
The Texas Center for Infectious Disease in San Antonio hosted a partner resource fair and tours of the campus today to commemorate World TB Day.
TCID, a Texas Department of State Health Services facility, treats TB patients from Texas as well as patients with complex cases from other states. It is a 75-bed acute care hospital structured to medically, behaviorally and socially treat TB patients while advancing research to prevent and treat infectious disease. Each TCID patient has a private room and bath designed to prevent TB transmission and enhance patient experience. Inpatient stays are from three months to two years.
“This is a unique opportunity to showcase our renowned facility, unique across the US, and the dedicated staff that keeps patient care flowing,” said John Lopez, TCID Hospital Administrator. “TCID is a collaborative effort to reduce the effect certain respiratory infections have on our communities.”
World TB Day commemorates the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced discovery of the tuberculosis bacterium. TB usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, kidneys and spine. While most TB cases can be completely cured with modern antibiotics, TB disease can be fatal if left untreated. Symptoms of active TB disease include coughing, fever, chills, night sweats, weight loss and fatigue. TB bacteria can be put into the air when a person with active TB disease coughs, sneezes, speaks or sings.
TB infection occurs when patients have TB in their bodies but are not sick because the germs are not active. These people do not have symptoms and cannot spread the germs to others, however they may develop TB disease in the future if not treated.
Treating TB disease generally requires many medications given for six to nine months. Treating those with drug-resistant TB requires different medications, and patients may be prescribed these medications for up to two years.
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(News Media Contact: pressofficer@dshs.texas.gov)