Tuberculosis Exposure
Tuberculosis and exposure overview and FAQ.
What is tuberculosis (TB)?
What are the common symptoms of active TB?
- A cough that lasts three weeks or longer
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Unexplained weight loss
- Coughing up blood or mucous with blood
People with inactive or latent TB do not have symptoms. However, without treatment, they can develop active TB disease and become sick.
What do I do if I have symptoms?
Individuals with symptoms of TB must see a medical provider to rule out active TB. UC San Diego employees should notify UC San Diego Center for Occupational & Environmental Medicine (COEM) immediately and students should notify Student Health Services if they have symptoms or were diagnosed with TB. People who are immunocompromised should also see a medical provider to discuss preventive treatment regardless of TB test results. Your healthcare provider will give you more information about the different types of tests available for you based on your medical history. Blood tests and skin tests are highly effective in determining whether someone has been infected with TB.
Is there treatment available for TB?
Most people who become infected after exposure to TB do not get sick immediately. This is called Latent TB Infection (LTBI). Some people who become infected with LTBI may become ill at some point in their life with active TB.
There is treatment available for LTBI. LTBI treatment is the best way to protect yourself from getting sick with active TB disease.
If you have active TB disease, you can be treated with medicine. You will need to take and finish your TB medicine as directed by your healthcare provider. This is to help you feel better and prevent other people from getting sick.
To learn more about TB — such as the types of TB, how it’s spread, risk factors, prevention, testing and treatment options — visit the CDC TB website.
Confirmed TB exposures at UC San Diego
What happens when a TB exposure occurs at UC San Diego?
The Tuberculosis Control Branch of the Public Health Services department of the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), UC San Diego Student Health Services (SHS) and UC San Diego COEM work together to investigate the TB exposure, notify individuals who may have been exposed and provide free testing, if appropriate.
How do I know if I was exposed at UC San Diego?
All current and former students and employees who may have had a TB exposure at UC San Diego will be notified via a MyChart message for employees or a MyStudentChart message for students and student employees. Please check the inbox of the email you listed when you signed up for MyChart or MyStudentChart. If you are no longer an enrolled student or current employee, you may still log in to MyChart or MyStudentChart to check your messages.
If you don’t receive a message but are concerned you may have been exposed:
- Students: Send a message to the nursing team via Ask-A-Nurse in MyStudentChart.
- Employees: send an email to EHS-PH@ucsd.edu to explain reasons why you think you may have been exposed.
The MyChart message provides information on testing options available for those exposed at UC San Diego.
Those who have low risk of exposure have also been informed and told to be aware of any symptoms and to seek care if they are concerned. The option to test at no cost for those exposed at UC San Diego is also available (see TB Testing Information below).
What should I do if I think I may have been exposed to TB outside of UC San Diego?If you think you have been exposed to someone with active TB disease outside of UC San Diego, contact your health care provider or local or state health department about getting a TB blood or skin test. Tell your health care provider when you spent time with the person who has active TB disease. Find a state TB program here via the CDC.
Click below to access essential information on the appropriate actions to take, who to contact, and how to get the support you need:
Student and Student Employees Guidelines - CONFIRMED TB EXPOSURES
Students have the following TB Testing Options:
- TB Blood Test (IGRA: QuantiFERON or T-Spot) – Preferred testing method
- A blood sample is drawn at a lab or clinic.
- Generally takes three to five business days to result.
- Blood tests are preferred for people who received the TB vaccine (BCG).
- TB Skin Testing (PPD)
- A healthcare provider uses a small needle to place a small amount of testing liquid under the skin.
- A return visit is needed in 48 – 72 hours to see if there is a reaction and have the test “read.”
- Chest X-ray
- Individuals who have tested “positive” for TB in the past will be required to get a chest x-ray within five days of notice to screen for active TB disease. Please provide documentation of prior positive TB test results and a certificate of treatment (if possible).
Please review the following categories to determine your status. (Testing is free and covered by UC San Diego SHS for current UC San Diego students, student employees and students enrolled in Spring 2024 with or without UC Student Health Insurance Program who are currently in California.
Current UC San Diego students, student employees and students enrolled in Spring 2024 with or without UC Student Health Insurance Program (UC SHIP) who are currently in San Diego County should self-schedule online to test at SHS:
- Log in to MyStudentChart
- Go to ‘Menu’ > ‘Schedule an Appointment’
- Click on ‘SHS Laboratory: Self-Titers and TB Blood Testing’ — Schedule appointment time
- Add in the comment section “TB Exposure 2023”
- Click ‘Schedule’
- Visit the Student Health Services clinic on campus at your scheduled time for your blood draw
Current UC San Diego students, student employees and students enrolled in Spring 2024 with or without UC SHIP who are currently in California but outside of San Diego County:
- Log in to MyStudentChart
- Send a message to ‘Ask A Nurse’ requesting to schedule an appointment in your local area with Quest Diagnostics for TB Exposure 2023
- After you receive your results, send another message to ‘Ask A Nurse’ to report and upload the result
Current UC San Diego students, student employees and students enrolled in Spring 2024 with or without UC SHIP who are not currently in California:
- Contact your primary care provider
- After you receive your test result, send a message to ‘Ask A Nurse’ using MyStudentChart to report and upload the result
Students who graduated in 2023 or Winter 2024:
If you are no longer an enrolled student at UC San Diego, you will also receive a message via MyStudentChart. Additionally, the San Diego County TB Control Program will contact you via mail or phone call and will provide information on testing options available for those exposed at UC San Diego.
- Contact your healthcare provider
- If you reside in San Diego County, your primary care provider should report TB test results to Asma Al Sabag, Sr. Communicable Disease Investigator via encrypted email at asma.alsabag@sdcounty.ca.gov or fax at 619-567-4416. asma.alsabag@sdcounty.ca.gov
After testing, how can I interpret my test results?
Negative Results
A “negative” TB reading/result usually indicates that a person is not infected with the TB bacteria.
Positive Results
- If your TB test result is “positive,” it means you have been infected with the TB bacterium, but it does not necessarily mean you are sick with active TB disease. The test cannot determine when or how you became infected. Consult whomever ordered your test and complete a chest x-ray. If your test was done at or arranged by UC San Diego Student Health Services, a nursing team member will reach out to you directly. If you tested with your own healthcare provider, contact them directly.
- If you test "positive" and have symptoms of TB or an abnormal chest x-ray, your medical provider should consider the possibility of active TB disease, pursue additional testing and communicate their concern to San Diego County TB control.
- Anyone who tests “positive” for TB is required to get a chest x-ray within five days of notice to screen for active TB disease.
- If you test positive and do not have symptoms of TB and have a normal chest x-ray, you have latent TB infection (LTBI) and should speak with your healthcare provider about taking medications to prevent the LTBI from progressing to active TB in the future.
Please note: If you choose to test with your own medical provider, please give the message you were sent in MyStudentChart along with TB-130 & TB-265 (Testing & Treatment Recommendation for Individual Exposed to Active TB Disease) forms (linked below) to your medical provider. Please request that a written report of the test results be sent to County of San Diego TB Control, attention: Asma Al Sabag, Sr. Communicable Disease Investigator (CDI) by fax at (619) 567-4416 or via encrypted email to asma.alsabag@sdcounty .ca.gov. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us protect your health and the health of our community. If you or your provider have any questions, please call Asma Al Sabag at (858) 264-9202.
What if I have more questions and need to contact someone?Students can send a message through Ask-A-Nurse in MyStudentChart.
For inquiries about TB, call:
- UC San Diego Student Health Services at (858) 822-2386 and leave a message with your name and contact information; one of our team members will call you back during business hours Monday through Friday.
- San Diego County Tuberculosis Control Branch at (619) 692-8621
Faculty and Staff Guidelines - CONFIRMED TB EXPOSURES
UC San Diego employees who may have had a TB exposure at UC San Diego have been identified via an investigation conducted by the Tuberculosis Control Branch in the Public Health Services (PHS) department of the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) and UC San Diego. Only employees who were confirmed to meet the definition of exposure were notified via MyChart message. Please check the inbox of the email you listed when you signed up for MyChart. The MyChart message provides employees with detailed information on the next steps and testing options for UC San Diego employees.
If you don’t receive a MyChart message or a phone call, you were not part of the exposed group and no further action is required.
If you don’t receive a message but are concerned you may have been exposed, send an email to EHS-PH@ucsd.edu to explain your concerns and reasons why you think you might have been exposed.
How did the investigation determine who was in the exposed group?
San Diego County Public Health Services determined who was exposed based on specific criteria, such as the amount of time spent in contact with the affected individual proximity and ventilation, among other factors. Those identified as exposed met the criteria, while others who had minimal contact were not considered at risk.
Can I still get tested for TB even if I wasn’t contacted and part of the exposed group?
If you were not contacted via MyChart, email, phone call or letter, you were not identified as part of the exposed group and cannot be tested for free by UC San Diego. If you want to be tested for TB, please contact your primary care provider.
What if I can’t access MyChart?
If you are having trouble with MyChart, please visit MyChart FAQ page for support. A UC San Diego representative will also reach out to you via phone if you were exposed. Please be vigilant and answer your phone. Please note, you still have access to MyChart even if you are no longer employed by UC San Diego.
Will I have to pay for testing?
No, there is no cost to current UC San Diego employees for testing if you were confirmed to meet the definition of exposure and were notified via MyChart message. Please do not schedule a test until you have talked to a UC San Diego representative. They will provide you with the information needed to schedule your test. Testing can be performed at any UC San Diego laboratory.
What if I am part of the exposed group and want to consult an outside health provider?
Details about your options can be discussed with a UC San Diego representative. You have the right to consult with an outside provider, but this cost would not be covered by UC San Diego.
What if I am part of the exposed group and was already treated for TB or tested?
If you have been treated or tested outside of UC San Diego, please notify COEM by sending a message via MyChart > Messages > Send message to your doctor. A UC San Diego representative will discuss your pertinent medical history and determine the best plan.
If I was part of the exposed group, how will I be notified?
You will be contacted through MyChart, letter by mail, or phone.
Who should I contact if I have additional questions?
Email EHS-PH@ucsd.edu.