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Tuberculosis testing and treatment
Tuberculosis is caused by tuberculosis bacteria, which can reproduce and spread in your body, damaging tissue. The bacteria can attack any part of the body, but most often affect the lungs.

Symptoms
People with active tuberculosis disease usually feel sick and have weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats. People with tuberculosis of the lungs usually also have a cough and chest pain and may cough up blood. Symptoms of tuberculosis disease in other parts of the body depend on the area affected.
Spread
People who have tuberculosis in their lungs can spread the bacteria to other people. It usually takes many hours in close contact with someone with tuberculosis disease to become infected.
People with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) have dormant tuberculosis bacteria in their body. They do not feel sick and cannot spread the infection to others. However, people with LTBI need to receive treatment to prevent the disease from becoming active.
Want to learn more? Check out this 6-minute video about how to protect your family and community from tuberculosis: youtube.com/watch?v=P5QhJyYOZug. YouTube Video YouTube Video
More information about tuberculosis is available from the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Mantoux testing available
Rice County Public Health offers tuberculosis skin tests every Tuesday from 1-4 p.m. during the walk-in immunization clinic time at the Rice County Public Health Office, 320 Third St. NW, Faribault. The cost is $28.
Free tuberculosis medication program
The Minnesota Department of Health provides free medications for people with TB disease and LTBI. Ask your healthcare provider or call the Public Health Department at 507-332-6111.
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Angie Nagel
DP&C/ Emergency Preparedness Supervisor
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Deb Purfeerst
Public Health Director
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Public Health
Physical Address
Rice County Government Services Building
320 Third St. NW
Faribault, MN 55021
Phone: 507-332-6111Fax: 507-332-5932
Northfield: 507-645-9576
Lonsdale: 507-744-5185
Toll Free: 888-200-4807Hours (June 4-Sept. 29)
8 a.m.-4:30 Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-noon Friday
Offices are closed on legal holidaysMinnesota Poison Control System: 1-800-222-1222
Minnesota Foodborne Illness Hotline: 651-201-5655 or 1-877-366-3455