Important Facts for Latent TB Infection Treatment Completion Rate
Definition
Percent of persons completing treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) who, during the contact investigations of AFB sputum-smear positive TB cases, have been found to have LTBI and initiated treatmentNumerator
Number of persons completing treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) who, during the contact investigations of AFB sputum-smear positive TB cases, have been found to have LTBI and initiated treatmentDenominator
Number of persons who, during the contact investigations of AFB sputum-smear positive TB cases, have been found to have LTBI and initiated treatmentWhy Is This Important?
If not treated properly, tuberculosis (TB) disease can be fatal. TB bacteria usually attack the lungs but may attack any part of the body. The bacteria are typically spread through the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat expels tiny airborne particles which people nearby can breathe in and become infected. Early detection and treatment of TB are essential to control the spread of the disease and to prevent outbreaks.[https://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/basics/default.htm ^1^]Healthy People Objective: Increase the treatment completion rate of contacts to sputum smear-positive cases who are diagnosed with latent tuberculosis infection and started LTBI treatment
U.S. Target: 79.0 percentState Target: 93.9 percent