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Tuberculosis (TB) is an uncommon but
potentially life threatening infection that affects over 100 Sheffield residents
per year. Most commonly TB affects the lungs. It can affect children and adults,
is relatively more common in people who have come from other parts of the world,
particularly black Africa. Tuberculosis and HIV infection can and do co-exist in
about 10% of the TB cases. Drug resistance occurs and is an important aspect of
care in 5% of TB cases. Unless there are clinical needs for an individual
patient to be in hospital, patients are dealt with on an out patient basis.
The Agencies that deal with TB are:
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Family Doctors who recognise TB amongst their patients and will become
involved in New Immigrant screening for TB
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Paediatric Infectious Diseases service which deals with children with TB
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Adult Infectious Disease service, which deals with TB on the Central Campus,
patients co-infected with HIV and currently infectious patients requiring
in-patient care.
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TB Specialist Nursing service based in the community which supports patients
through their treatment for TB, identifies and significantly contributes to the
screening of contacts of patients with TB and contributes to the screening of
New Immigrants.
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The CCDC based in the Health Protection Agency who oversees the TB service
and records information about all the patients seen by the service.
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The Respiratory Service which offers a comprehensive service on the Northern
Campus and a support service to the Infectious Diseases Unit on the Central
Campus.
The Service within the Thoracic Institute:
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Two TB clinics per week staffed by a specialist Consultant and trained Nurse
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Out patient (and eventually in-patient) investigation of potential cases of
TB
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Out patient medical supervision and treatment of cases of active TB
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The medical investigation and treatment of all contacts of TB above the care
that can be offered in the community.
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The medical investigation and treatment of all new immigrants identified as
needing more care by the initial community new immigrant screening programme.
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Liaison with all the other agencies involved in the care of TB patients,
particularly the TB Specialist nurses.
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