This program's mission is to control the spread of Tuberculosis (TB) in El Paso County by prompt identification and appropriate treatment of individuals infected with the disease.
Patients must bring their Medicaid and/or Medicare documents and a referral letter from a physician is required for those with no insurance. The cost for services is based on a sliding fee scale. We accept insurance and credit/debit cards for payment.
5115 El Paso Dr. Suite B El Paso, Texas 79905 (915) 212-6609Fax: (915) 212-0172
Hours of Operation Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed for Lunch from: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m Appointments are available and walk-ins are welcomed
Epidemiology 24/7 Reporting number(915) 212-6520FAX: (915) 212-0170
Notifiable Condition Report Form
Medication is provided to patients diagnosed with active or latent Tuberculosis. Clients diagnosed with TB are treated through Direct Observed Therapy (DOT) system. TB Clinic provides services for TB prevention and control through expanded outreach services to individuals of identified populations who have TB or who are at high risk of contracting or developing TB throughout a defined service area. Related education, counseling, testing for special populations, and pharmacy services are also available. All of our patient’s information is kept confidential.
Basic TB Facts
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal. Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection and TB disease.
How TB Spreads
TB is spread through the air from one person to another. The TB bacteria are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected.
TB is NOT spread by:
Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection and TB disease.
Latent TB infection and TB disease can be treated. TB disease treatment is provided by using directly observed therapy (DOT) which is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If TB disease is not treated it can be fatal. Latent TB treatment is provided as well, which reduces the risk that the TB latent infection will progress to TB disease.
TB bacteria become active if the immune system can't stop them from growing. When TB bacteria are active (multiplying in your body), this is called TB disease. People with TB disease are sick. They may also be able to spread the bacteria to people they spend time with every day.
Many people who have latent TB infection never develop TB disease. Some people develop TB disease soon after becoming infected (within weeks) before their immune system can fight the TB bacteria. Other people may get sick years later when their immune system becomes weak for another reason.
For people whose immune systems are weak, especially those with HIV infection, the risk of developing TB disease is much higher than for people with normal immune systems.
Symptoms of TB disease depend on where in the body the TB bacteria are growing. TB bacteria usually grow in the lungs (pulmonary TB). TB disease in the lungs may cause symptoms such as:
Other symptoms of TB disease are
Symptoms of TB disease in other parts of the body depend on the area affected. People who have latent TB infection do not feel sick, do not have any symptoms, and cannot spread TB to others.
People with latent TB infection have TB bacteria in their bodies, but they are not sick because the bacteria are not active. People with latent TB infection do not have symptoms, and they cannot spread TB bacteria to others. However, if TB bacteria become active in the body and multiply, the person will go from having latent TB infection to being sick with TB disease. For this reason, people with latent TB infection are often prescribed treatment to prevent them from developing TB disease. Treatment of latent TB infection is essential for controlling and eliminating TB in the United States.
Because there are less bacteria in a person with latent TB infection, treatment is much easier. Three regimens are approved for the treatment of latent TB infection. We offer 12 week treatment for those who meet CDC protocol. This is a fast track treatment and the latest regimen for combating latent TB. The medications used to treat latent TB infection include:
(TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.
Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection and TB disease. Both latent TB infection and TB disease can be treated.