copyright: Gpoint Studio
Tuberculosis (TB)
This page was translated from German using artificial intelligence. The translation may contain errors or inaccuracies. In case of doubt, the German original version prevails.
Tuberculosis remains one of the most common infectious diseases worldwide. Despite current refugee flows, tuberculosis is a rare disease in Germany. It is reliably treatable in most cases. Depending on where in the human body the pathogen settles, the most common pulmonary tuberculosis is distinguished from the much rarer tuberculosis of the kidneys, meninges, bones, etc.
Tuberculosis is caused by the tuberculosis bacterium (Mycobacterium tuberculosis), which occurs worldwide.
The tuberculosis bacterium is usually transmitted through a "droplet infection." A person with "open" (i.e., contagious) tuberculosis releases tiny droplets containing tuberculosis bacteria into the air when speaking, coughing, and sneezing. These droplets can be inhaled by contact persons and cause an infection in them. However, only 5% to a maximum of 10% of those infected develop tuberculosis. The remaining 90% to 95% remain healthy.
Earliest weeks after the infection, usually after months, and in rare cases even after years, the first symptoms appear. In the early stage, tuberculosis causes nonspecific complaints that can be caused by many diseases:
-
Cough
-
Slight fever and
-
Fatigue
Typical for tuberculosis (but not definitive) are:
-
Cough lasting more than 3 weeks
-
Night sweats
-
Persistent fatigue, performance drop
-
Loss of appetite, weight loss ("consumption")
Especially in older people, the above symptoms may also be absent.
What we do
In the event of a tuberculosis case, the health department conducts contact investigations to identify the source of infection and other infected individuals to prevent the further spread of tuberculosis. This includes protecting the public by identifying sources of infection in confirmed tuberculosis infections and diseases without bacterial excretion and ensuring the patient receives treatment.
If we determine that people in the vicinity of a patient are at risk of infection, we arrange either a lung X-ray examination with a private radiologist or a Quantiferon blood test, usually conducted at the health department. These contact investigations are typically repeated several times at larger intervals to determine whether contact persons develop tuberculosis over the course of several months. Additionally, we examine particularly high-risk groups for tuberculosis and advise doctors, hospitals, and community facilities on tuberculosis outbreaks.
If you are concerned that you may have been infected, please contact us; we will be happy to advise you.
There are no costs.
Contact
Tatjana Ottinger
Moltkestr. 34
1. Obergeschoss, Raum: O1-13
51643 Gummersbach
Tuberculosis test for stays abroad
If you need proof for a long-term stay abroad that you have undergone a tuberculosis blood test, please contact us.
A typical reason is an au pair or study stay in the USA.
We conduct a Quantiferon blood test and a risk assessment conversation. Blood collection must take place in the morning. The result will be available after about 14 days and will be sent to you as an official certificate in German.
Fasting is not required for the blood collection.
The fee is calculated based on the time required in accordance with the fee schedule of the Oberbergischer Kreis.
Contact
Dr. Dr. Bruno Arenz
Am Wiedenhof 1-3
Erdgeschoss, Raum: E-04
51643 Gummersbach
