Tuberculosis (TB) Clinic
About Us
The Tuberculosis (TB) program is a statutorily authorized entity responsible for the prevention and control of TB in Lake County. Services include TB screening, testing, education, treatment, contact investigation, state reporting, and immigration follow-up clearance for those with history of TB or latent TB infection.
Who Can Receive Services?
Lake County residents, employees or students.
Additional Information
Services include:
- Contact tracing
- Direct observed therapy
- Education and outreach
- Medications
- Physician supervised treatment for active cases
- TB testing
- X-rays
A sliding fee scale is available for qualified patients. All patients wanting to apply for the reduced fee must provide proof of income within 30 days from the date of visit. Persons who do not bring proof of income will be assessed full fees for services received. A sliding fee form must be filled out for all types of sliding fee applications. There are minimum fees on some procedures.
If your medical plan (Medicaid, Medicare, or Insurance) does not cover the TB service then the full fee is charged but you may qualify for a sliding fee scale. no one will be refused service if unable to pay.
Important Items to Remember
- You should be tested for TB if you are a member of a high risk group.
- The BCG vaccine does not provide permanent protection against TB.
- If you have symptoms of TB, you must first be evaluated by a physician before being referred to the TB Clinic.
NEW! TB Annual Report 2022
Learn more about the state of TB in Lake County, Illinois. In Lake County, the incidence rate of active TB is usually lower than the U.S. rate. Occasionally, Lake County’s rate is higher than that of Illinois. In this report, residents include those who live in or temporarily live in Lake County.
Frequently Asked Questions About TB
What is tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial disease that usually affects the lungs, and sometimes other parts of the body, such as the brain, kidneys or the spine. TB can cause death if untreated.How is TB spread?
TB germs are spread from person to person through the air. TB germs are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes or laughs. TB is NOT spread by sharing silverware, cups, or cigarettes or through kissing.What are the symptoms of TB?
People with TB disease often feel weak or sick, lose weight, and have fever and night sweats. If their TB disease is in the lungs, they may also cough, have chest pain and may cough up blood. Other symptoms depend on what part of the body is affected.What is the difference between TB disease and TB infection?
People with TB disease are sick from the large number of TB germs that are active in their body. They usually have one or more of the symptoms of TB disease. These people may pass TB germs to others. TB disease can cause permanent body damage and death, but there are medicines that can cure TB disease.People with TB infection also have the germs that cause TB, but they are not sick because there are not as many germs and the germs are dormant (sleeping) in their body. They cannot spread the germs to others. However, these people can eventually develop TB disease, especially if they are in one of the high-risk groups. People with TB infection can take medicine to prevent them from developing TB disease.
Who is at high-risk for TB?
- Close contacts of persons known or suspected to have TB
- Foreign-born persons from areas of high TB: e.g., Asia, Africa, Latin America, eastern Europe or those who travel to these areas
- Residents and employees of high-risk congregate settings i.e. homeless shelters, correctional facilities, alcohol and drug treatment centers and others
- Health care workers who serve high-risk clients
- Medically underserved, low-income populations, and high risk minority populations
- Persons who inject illicit drugs or substance users
- Persons with certain chronic medical conditions i.e. diabetes, HIV/AIDs, immuno-suppressing illnesses or diseases and others
- Children exposed to adults in high risk categories
- Persons who have a body weight of 10% or more below their ideal weight