The County of Monterey Auditor-Controller’s office has established a webpage with Frequently Asked Questions concerning Measure K and the Bond Repayment Tax Rate Correction.
Published on November 21, 2016. Last modified on January 21, 2026
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.
Most Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Where can I get a TB test? County of Monterey TB Control Unit does not provide TB testing services to the general public. The TB Control Unit recommends that individuals seeking TB testing services contact their medical provider and request their provider give them an order for a TB blood test (QuantiFERON test). You will need to take the medical provider's order to a commercial laboratory (Quest or LabCorp, for example). If you do not have a medical provider, contact a local urgent care center or community health center and request TB testing services.
Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease. Both latent TB infection and TB disease can be treated.
TB Disease (also called active TB):
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:
a bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer
pain in the chest
coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs)
Other symptoms of TB disease are:
weakness or fatigue
weight loss
no appetite
chills
fever
sweating at night
Symptoms of TB disease in other parts of the body depend on the area affected.
Latent TB Infection (LTBI):
Latent TB Infection (LTBI):
LTBI is also called "inactive TB." People who have LTBI do not feel sick, do not have any symptoms and cannot spread TB to others. However, they have the TB germs in their body and could become sick later with TB.
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:
shaking someone’s hand
sharing food or drink
touching bed linens or toilet seats
sharing toothbrushes
kissing
People infected with the TB bacteria but not sick (who have LTBI) can reduce the chances of getting sick with TB disease by taking LTBI treatment. Treatment of LTBI greatly reduces the risk that TB infection will progress to TB disease. Those at high risk for developing TB disease include:
People with HIV infection
People who became infected with TB bacteria in the last 2 years
Babies and young children
People who inject drugs illegally
People who are sick with other diseases that weaken the immune system
Elderly people
People who were not treated correctly for TB in the past
It is important that individuals with latent TB infection speak with their medical provider about treatment options.
Some employers, schools, and child care centers require individuals to be screened for TB. County of Monterey TB Control Unit does not provide TB testing services to the general public. The TB Control Unit recommends that individuals seeking TB testing services contact their medical provider and request their provider give them an order for a TB blood test (QuantiFERON test) to take to a commercial laboratory. If you do not have a medical provider, contact a local urgent care center or community health center for these services.
The County of Monterey Health Department (MCHD) and the California Department of Health (CDPH) recommend the QuantiFERON blood test for people of all ages when testing for TB infection. A small amount of blood is drawn then sent to a laboratory for testing. The test must be ordered by a medical provider.
Sometimes a Tuberculin skin test (TST) is used to test for TB. If a person received the Bacillus-Calmette-Guerin Vaccine (BCG) as a child, the TST will almost always be positive, so it is not useful as a TB screening test. BCG is commonly given to children in other countries including Mexico, the Philippines, and Russia, among others.
A positive TB blood or skin test means that a person has been exposed to TB. More tests are needed to determine if a person has active TB or LTBI. This usually includes a chest x-ray. Your medical provider will discuss what other test may be needed, depending on whether or not you have symptoms like a cough.
TB tests are generally not needed for people without symptoms and with a low risk of infection with TB bacteria. Certain people should be tested for TB because they are more likely to get TB disease. This includes:
People who have spent time with someone who has active TB disease
People with HIV infection or another medical problem that weakens the immune system
People who have symptoms of TB disease (fever, cough, night sweats, weight loss)
People who lived in a country where TB disease is common (most countries in Latin American, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Russia)
People who live or work in settings where TB disease is more common (homeless shelters, prisons, jails, some nursing homes)
People with substance abuse disorders or who use drugs illegally
Both LTBI and active TB disease can be treated. There are several safe and effective treatment plans available. Your medical provider will help determine which medications are right for you. It is important to take and finish all TB medicines exactly as your health care provider recommends.
Completing treatment for LTBI and active TB disease can protect yourself, your family and friends, and your community.
Some schools and child care centers require employees, volunteers, and students to be screened for TB. County of Monterey TB Control Unit does not provide TB testing services to the general public. The TB Control Unit recommends that individuals seeking TB testing services contact their medical provider and request their provider give them an order for a TB blood test (QuantiFERON test) to take to a commercial laboratory. If you do not have a medical provider, contact a local urgent care center or community health center for these services.
Below are some reference materials that may be useful for teachers, school nurses, and other staff in educational settings:
Medical providers must report suspected cases of active TB disease to the Monterey County TB Control Unit. Reports should be made by phone within one business day to the TB Control Unit:
Monday through Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm: 831-755-4521
Holidays and after normal business hours: 831-755-5100 and ask for the Hazardous Materials Team. They will connect you with the on-call public health professional.
County of Monterey Health Department's TB Control Unit provides the following services to local healthcare providers:
Technical assistance with interpreting TB screening, testing, and treatment guidelines
Assistance with specimen collection and testing for patients with suspected TB disease
Public Health Nurse case management of all active TB patients in Monterey County
Directly observed therapy (DOT) for all active TB patients
Unfortunately, the TB Control Unit is unable to provide TB screening for the general public, nor does the TB Control Unit provide LTBI treatment for individuals who are not close contacts to cases of active TB.
If you need assistance linking a patient to TB screening or LTBI treatment services, please call the TB Control Unit at the number above.
