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Disease Prevention and Control, San Francisco Department of Public HealthPopulation Health Division SF Department of Public HealthPopulation Health Division SF Department of Public Health

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Managing Positive Reactions

Symptomatic Patients

If the patient is symptomatic, obtain a chest x-ray immediately.

Consult a TB medical expert to determine if urgent referral to TB Clinic or hospitalization is indicated; SF TB Clinic: (628) 206-8524

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  • Screening Information
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TB Test Positive Patients

If the skin test or blood test is positive, a chest x-ray and medical evaluation are indicated (evaluation may be done at the TB Clinic if referral criteria is met).

If the chest x-ray is not suggestive of TB, the patient may be a candidate for preventive therapy.  Preventive therapy is indicated for certain risk groups.

If the chest x-ray suggests active disease, the following steps should be adhered to:

  • Collect three sputum for AFB smear and culture, as soon as possible.
  • Report the case to SF TB Control within one (1) working day (required by California law) by telephone, (628) 206-8524.
  • Start treatment with an appropriate four-drug TB regimen as soon as possible. Do not wait for sputum results.
  • Place the patient in home isolation.
  • Hospital isolation is advised for individuals who are medically unstable, homeless or living in a congregate setting. SF TB
    Control follows the California state TB guidelines regarding release of active TB patients to high-risk housing, work,
    correctional settings and inpatient settings.

Resources

Guidelines for the Assessment fo Tuberculosis Patient Infectiousness and Placement in High and Low-Risk Settings

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Tuberculosis Control

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CMR Forms

Medical providers: download the Confidential Morbidity Report (CMR) form to report a communicable disease

CMR Form

or download the COVID-19 CMR form to report COVID-19 hospitalizations, deaths and POC testing by HCPs

COVID-19 CMR Form

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SF Dept of Public Health
101 Grove Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 554-2500

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