Case finding

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