Primary prevention
The bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is a live attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis that is used in many parts of the world. BCG vaccination is effective in prevention of TB meningitis and disseminated TB in infants and young children.[26] BCG may offer protection against latent TB infection and pulmonary TB.[27][28] It is not routinely offered in the US. There may be rare indications for its use, such as an infant whose mother has smear-positive multidrug-resistant TB. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that travelers from the US who anticipate prolonged exposure to TB or are planning prolonged stays in TB-endemic countries should have pre- and posttravel testing.[29][30]
Active TB, confirmed or highly suspected, is a reportable condition to the local health authorities in order to interrupt further TB transmission in the community.
Secondary prevention
Because of the infectious nature of the condition, patients should avoid new encounters with people who are not household members while they are infectious. Household members should be promptly evaluated and treated if appropriate. The patient may need to be isolated in the short term. After approximately 2 weeks of effective TB treatment, the patient is less infectious to others.
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