case finding
Last reviewed 01/2018
The control of tuberculosis requires the identification and treatment of infected individuals.
Case finding efforts may take two main approaches:
- contact tracing:
- 10% of TB cases are identified in this way
- contacts undergo tuberculin testing and a chest X-ray
- cases of TB are treated
- follow-up appointments are required for some contacts who do not appear to have TB
- mass chest radiography:
- whole population screening in industrialised countries is not appropriate
- high risk groups may benefit from radiographic screening:
- homeless
- refugees
- elderly men with chronic cough
- immigrants from the third world in first 5 years
follow-up appointments for contact tracing programmes