Study Shows Extent, Danger of TB Exposure: Part I

Despite this evidence, testing household contacts is not an integral part of the Indian healthcare system. “We found that not only are children and those with HIV at risk but others in the household are also at risk for TB, at rates much higher than the general population,” Amita Gupta, MD, professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, told Medical Daily. “We found a high proportion of 70% had evidence of TB infection as measured by either a skin test of blood test. A positive TB infection test also means they are at higher risk for developing active TB." Dr. Gupta directed the research team in India.