Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the oldest diseases in the world. It has been around for thousands of years. In the 200 years since TB was introduced to Alaska, it has ravaged much of the state, and continues to do so, even 60 years after the discovery of effective drugs to treat and cure the disease. TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease, and Alaska continues to have the highest rate of TB in the United States. Most of Alaska’s cases are in the Southwestern and Northern regions of the state. In 2022, 95 Alaskans, ranging in age from 3 months to 93 years were diagnosed and treated for TB.
TB is an airborne disease that is spread by very small droplets in the air containing TB bacteria. These droplets can be spread by an infected person coughing or breathing. The infected droplets can remain in the air for hours, and if someone inhales a droplet, they can become infected. People with weak immune systems, or those who are very young or old are more likely to catch TB.
Latent TB is most common
Most people who become infected with TB are not sick. They have no symptoms. They have what is called “latent” or “inactive” TB infection. This means their immune systems can keep the TB bacteria walled off and in a resting state. While people with latent TB are not infectious and do not have symptoms, at any point their latent TB can become active TB. The only way to know if you have latent TB is to get a skin or blood test. If diagnosed with latent TB, you can take antibiotics to be cured.
Active TB symptoms and risks
Active TB is when someone is sick and has symptoms, which can include: Persistent cough (may or may not be bloody); chest pain; fever; night sweats; chills; tiredness; loss of appetite; weight loss.
When someone has active TB, they can infect others around them. If you or someone you know has any of these symptoms, you should see your medical provider or your local public health nurse to be evaluated. The sooner you are evaluated, the sooner you can be treated. Remember, if you think you might have TB, get a TB test, and if you test positive for active TB, get treated!
Treating TB
Treating active TB is a long process, but you are not alone in this process. A team of public health nurses, community health aides, and other trained healthcare workers will ensure that you have the support you need to complete the treatment. They will monitor you, your symptoms, and your medications to ensure that everything is working, and you are on your way to becoming healthy again. Although the treatment requires taking multiple drugs for six months or longer, it will cure your disease and restore your health.
Although TB continues to be a major problem in Alaska, the Alaska Dept. of Health is proud of the work that our public health nurses, microbiologists, pharmacists and others are doing, day in and day out, as well as the work of our many healthcare partners. Without their work, TB would be much more widespread than it is today. Together we can work to cure and prevent TB in all our communities.
If you have questions or would like to learn more about TB in Alaska, you can contact the Alaska TB Program at 907-269-8000 or go to https://health.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/tb.aspx.
