Tuberculosis Services

Our service helps connect you with health professionals if you are impacted by Tuberculosis (TB) disease or infection (LTBI) or Hansen’s disease (leprosy).

All services related to diagnosis and treatment of TB are provided free and confidentially.

How will our Tuberculosis Services help you?

1. Telehealth (VDOTS)

2. BCG vaccinations 

• In NSW BCG vaccine is recommended for children less than five years who will have prolonged or frequent travel to high TB incidence countries and newborn children of parents with Hansen’s disease (leprosy) or a family history of Hansen’s disease.

• Clinics operate regularly at central locations across LHD and you will be contacted by the closest clinic to make these arrangements once your request has been received.

• You can download and complete the Request for BCG vaccination form. Simply download, complete and forward to us at SNSWLHD-CommunityIntake@health.nsw.gov.au

3. TB clinical assessment to diagnosis and exclude TB.

   •  This is delivered by specially TB Medical and Nursing staff and includes clinical assessment, Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), laboratory tests and medical imaging.

4. Other services include routine screening for TB and diagnosis/exclusion of TB and treatment where required of:

   • Contact of TB
   • Latent TB infection (LTBI)
   • Tuberculosis health undertaking (TBU) referrals,
   • Routine screening for people at high risk of developing TB.

What is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by infection with the bacteria (germ) Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

TB can infect a person’s lungs or other parts of the body and make you unwell. 

TB can be cured if adequately treated with antibiotics.

How is it spread?

• TB is spread through the air when a person with TB in the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes or speaks, sending germs into the air
• When other people breathe in these germs they can become infected
• Most people get TB germs from someone they spend a lot of time with, like a family member or friend
• TB is not spread by household items (for example by cutlery, crockery, drinking glasses, sheets, clothes or telephone) so it is not necessary to use separate household items.