Dental management of the PPD positive tuberculin skin test patient
Lieutenant Anthony L. Davis, DC, USN, Lieutenant Matthew Bruzek, DC, USN, Captain Elaine Winegard, DC, USN, and
Commander Charles Paddock, DC, USN

Introduction

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by a microorganism called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.” If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal. TB is spread through the air when a person with active TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs or sneezes. Not everyone infect-ed with TB bacteria develops TB disease. People who are infected but do not have TB disease are diagnosed with Latent TB Infection (LTBI). This population of infected people may not feel sick or exhibit any symptoms. But, some people with latent TB infection eventually develop TB disease. TB bacteria become active if the immune system can’t stop them from growing.

The presentation of TB disease depends on where in the body the TB bacteria are growing. TB bacteria usu-ally grow in the lungs. “TB in the lungs may cause symptoms such as:
• a bad cough lasting 3 weeks or longer
• pain in the chest
• coughing up blood or sputum

Other symptoms of active TB disease include weakness, fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, chills, fever, and nightsweats.

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