TB - Clinicians and Healthcare Providers

Healthcare Providers Can Prevent TB

Testing and treating latent TB infection (inactive TB) is a critical step to eliminating TB in the United States and protecting your community. As a trusted source of health information, it’s important to initiate a conversation about latent TB infection (inactive TB) and active TB disease with your patients at risk for TB.

When you see patients with signs and symptoms consistent with TB, especially for those from countries where TB is endemic or with other TB risk factors, test for TB and notify DPH for those meeting the Reporting Requirements.

For more information about testing and treating TB from the CDC, visit Think. Test. Treat TB.

TB Reference Guide

The Georgia TB Reference Guide is now available as an app for iOS and Android.

This app responds to clinicians’ questions about tuberculosis infection, disease, and control. The standards and guidelines are based on the work and experience of the American Thoracic Society (ATS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA), Emory University, and the World Health Organization (WHO). This edition contains updated recommendations on the treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (inactive TB) and treatment of active tuberculosis disease.

Development of the app was supported by the Georgia Department of Public Health through Contract 40500-046-21203197.

Download on the APPLE App Store

Get it on Google Play Store

Additional TB Guidelines

Healthcare Guidance

• Personnel and facilities licensed by the Department of Community Health (DCH) should follow DCH guidance (home health agencies and providers, hospices, nursing homes, etc.); other healthcare personnel in Georgia should follow CDC guidance for TB screening, testing, and treatment.

• Healthcare Facility Regulation Division - DCH 

• Clinical Testing Guidance for Tuberculosis: Health Care Personnel - CDC

Travel Guidance

• Travelers' Health TB - CDC
• TB Risk and People Born in or Who Travel to Places Where TB is Common - CDC
• Tuberculosis: Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons - CDC

Congregate Setting Guidance

• Guidelines for Preventing and Controlling Tuberculosis in Atlanta Homeless Housing Facilities, 2016 (reviewed June 2023)
• TB Risk and People Experiencing Homelessness - CDC
• TB Risk and People Who Live or Work in Correctional Facilities - CDC

Training Resources

• Health Care Provider Communication and Education Resources - CDC
• Curry International Tuberculosis Center
• Heartland National Tuberculosis Center
• Global Tuberculosis Institute at Rutgers
• National Tuberculosis Coalition of America (NTCA)
• Southeastern National Tuberculosis Center (SNTC)

Questions regarding additional TB courses can be directed to [email protected].

Notices for Providers

• Dear Colleague Letters - CDC
• CDC issued Updated Guidance for Screening of Health Care Personnel (below). The Healthcare Facility Regulatory Office of the Georgia Department of Community Health dictates TB screening requirements in hospitals, nursing homes, personal care home and home health settings. Click here to be directed to DCH's website for inquiries.
• CDC has provided guidance for screening for TB and the concurrent administration of the Mpox vaccinations (September 23, 2022).

Page last updated 8/21/24