Prevention of tuberculosis and isolation of tuberculosis patients in health care facilities

ABSTRACT

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most serious infectious diseases in South Korea. TB patients release Mycobacterium tuberculosis into the air when they speak or cough. Once released into the air, these bacteria remain suspended for a long time, and people in the vicinity of TB patients can breathe the infectious particles into their lungs and become infected. TB is most likely to be transmitted in health care facilities when health care workers and patients come into contact with TB patients who are not adequately treated. Thus, TB infection control measures are required to prevent TB transmission in health care facilities. This review discusses methods of reducing the risk of transmission of TB in health care facilities such as cough etiquette, the early diagnosis and treatment of TB patients, isolation of TB patients and the use of personal respiratory protective devices.