Tuberculosis (TB) Clinic

TB Basics

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and is spread through the air from one person to another. When a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, speaks, or sings, TB bacteria can get into the air. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected. TB is not spread by sharing food, shaking hand, or kissing.

Latent tuberculosis infection happens when a person is infected with the TB bacteria but does not have the disease. These people have no symptoms and cannot spread TB to others. But they may develop TB disease if they do not receive treatment for latent TB infection.

TB disease develops when TB bacteria are active and multiply in your body. People with TB disease are symptomatic (cough, fever, night sweats, weight loss etc.) and feel sick. They may spread the bacteria to people they spend time with every day.

People with TB disease can be treated with a combination of medicines. Tuberculosis is preventable and treatable but remains the world’s deadliest infectious-disease killer.

For more information about tuberculosis (TB) click here.

Testing for TB Infection

TB blood test is available for $20 by appointment only on Wednesdays.

Work, school, or immigration clearance chest x-rays are available for $25 by appointment only. 

Call 512-972-5460 to schedule an appointment.

Treatment for TB

Treatment for active TB disease, and latent TB infection is provided free of charge.

Reporting

TB is a notifiable condition in Texas, reportable to your local or regional health department. Texas Health and Safety Code requires doctors, labs, and hospitals to report TB disease (known or suspected) within 1 working day. Latent TB infection is reportable within 1 week.

For more information about how to report tuberculosis (TB) click here.