Home Divisions & Offices Divisions Community Health & Wellness Division Tuberculosis Elimination Program

Tuberculosis Elimination Program

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious bacterial disease caused byMycobacterium tuberculosis, which most commonly affects the lungs. It is transmitted from person to person via droplets from the throat and lungs of people with the active respiratory disease.

TB causes far more deaths than any other infectious diseases worldwide. It infects one-third of the world’s population, and kills three million people every year (a quarter of the world’s preventable deaths).

Tuberculosis (T.B.) is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most commonly affects the lungs. It is transmitted from person to person via droplets from the throat and lungs of people with the active respiratory disease.

SYMPTOMS OF ACTIVE TB DISEASE?

  • a bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer
  • pain in the chest
  • coughing up blood (phlegm from deep inside the lungs)
  • weakness or fatigue
  • weight loss
  • loss of appetite
  • chills
  • fever
  • sweating at night

The Harris County Public Health (HCPH) TB Elimination Program offers a variety of services aimed at TB prevention and control.

For more information contact:

TB Chest Clinic Operation Hours & Locations

SERVICES BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Harris County Public Health Antoine Clinic (Northwest Houston)
Tuesday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 
5815 Antoine, Suite A, 
Houston, Texas 77091

Phone: 832-927-7594
Fax: 713-439-6391

For information on riding METRO to our locations, go to www.ridemetro.org or call (713) 635-4000.

Services

The HCPH TB Elimination Program provides the following services:

  • Complete evaluation, chest x-ray and treatment services for T.B. disease and T.B. Infection.
  • Case management of T.B. cases and suspected cases, including those medically managed by other healthcare providers
  • Administration of medication for cases, or suspected cases, of T.B. through the Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) program
  • Directly observed preventive therapy (DOPT) for children and adults who are household contacts to T.B. cases or suspected cases.
  • Video Directly Observed Therapy (VDOT) in which health care workers observe patients taking their T.B. medications remotely via a mobile device.
  • Investigation of contacts and screening of high-risk populations
  • Consultation with state and nationally recognized experts.
  • Community education regarding T.B.

T.B. Reporting Guidelines

State law requires health care professionals to report confirmed or suspected cases of T.B. within 1 working day. To report confirmed or suspected T.B. cases, call 832-927-7594 or fill out T.B. Intake Form and fax to (713)439-6391.

Court Ordered Management

Court ordered management of non-compliant TB cases is determined by the local health authority or the Regional Medical Director for patients who are unable or unwilling to adhere to treatment in accordance with Chapter 8a, Subchapter G of the Texas Health and Safety code (beginning with Section 81.151). It is based on any combination of the following:

  • Medical evaluation of a patient who has demonstrated failure of improvement with outpatient therapy
  • Failure to comply with the health authority’s medical control order for any reason
  • Continued threat to self or the public due to either of the above

Resources

Title Type

TB – Department of State Health Services (DSHS)

TB – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Heartland National TB Center

TB Epidemiology and Statistics