If you are an incoming international student from your
home country and will be starting your semester at
the University of Minnesota for the first time, the
following applies to you:
If you have a positive
Mantoux test
you will need a chest x-ray to make sure there is no
active TB in your lungs. A positive test indicates
active TB disease or latent TB
infection. If the chest x-ray is normal, it
means that the TB bacteria are not actively causing
disease and you have latent TB infection.
What is the treatment for
latent TB infection?
Isoniazid Therapy
A daily dose of Isoniazid (INH) for 9 months will
significantly reduce your risk of developing
reactivation TB disease in the future. For this
reason it is recommended that you take medication to
treat the latent TB infection.
What is "INH" therapy?
Isoniazid (INH) is a medication used to treat latent
TB infection. It can significantly reduce the rate
of later development of reactivation TB disease.
Before starting INH, you will be asked about your
health history and medication use. In addition, some
people may need blood tests to check the health of
their liver.
INH will be prescribed for 9 months. You will be
seen monthly to check for any signs of problems. It
is very important that INH be taken daily and for
the full 9 months of treatment to kill the TB
bacteria and prevent development of resistant
strains of TB.
My doctor back home says I do not need INH!
In countries where TB is common, treatment for
latent TB infection is not recommended
by health professionals because limited resources
are used to treat active TB disease.
INH is processed by the liver. Side effects in
people under 35 years are rare but some people may
experience one or more side effects if the INH
irritates their liver. About 10% may experience
weakness, a decrease in appetite, nausea, vomiting,
or tingling in the hands and feet. 1% to 2% can have
symptoms that are more severe including fever,
yellow skin or eyes, dark tea-colored urine, rash,
itching or blurred vision. If you have any of these
please call the clinic and you will be evaluated.
You can reduce your risk of side-effects by avoiding
alcohol and certain food items while taking INH.
Liver problems are more likely to occur and INH may
not work effectively in the presence of alcohol.
Some fish (tuna and sardines) and cheeses (swiss and
cheshire) have been reported to increase the chance
of having a reaction while taking INH. Also, some
medications interact with INH so be sure to tell
your doctor or nurse if you are taking other
medications. It is safe to take birth control pills
when you are on INH.
What about my family?
Since you have tested positive, we recommend that
family members who are currently living with you in
the United States should also be tested at Boynton
or at their primary clinic.
Where can I get more information about INH?
We will be conducting informative group sessions
where you can talk to health professionals. After
the group session you will see a doctor and get a
prescription for INH. If you decline to take INH,
you will be asked to sign an informed release
stating that you understand the risk of refusing
treatment. The ME hold on your student account will
be released after you attend the group session.
When someone with active TB of the lung laughs,
coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings, TB
bacteria are sprayed into the air. If you inhale
these infectious droplets, the bacteria cause
infection in your lungs. In most people the body is
able to fight the TB bacteria and stop them from
growing. The bacteria become inactive, but remain
alive in the body. This is called latent TB
infection.
What is Reactivation TB?
When a person who has latent TB infection has a change
in health that lowers the body's immune defenses,
the TB bacteria can become active, multiply, and
cause TB disease. This is called reactivation TB and
it occurs in roughly 10% - 15% of those with latent
TB infection.
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