TB Program, Oregon Health Authority

10/02/2026

Tuberculosis (TB) spreads through the air when a person with active TB disease in their lungs coughs, speaks, or sneezes. It does NOT spread through casual contact like handshakes, sharing food, touching surfaces or being outdoors near someone. Understanding how TB is spread can really help reduce fear and misinformation in our communities.
Someone who has Latent TB Infection (LTBI) is not able to spread the disease to others; they only have some TB germs in their body that are sleeping and not making them sick or contagious. A person is only able to spread TB when they have active TB disease in their lungs and have not been on TB treatment.
If someone has spent time around a person who has active TB disease in the lungs, or if they've been contacted by public health about a possible exposure, getting tested is an important step. Testing helps identify TB early so people can get connected with care and protect their friends and family around them.

10/01/2026

No one chooses to get TB. It's an infectious disease that spreads through the air, not through personal failures or bad choices. The OHA TB program and our partners in local health programs are here to focus on support, not blame. We want everyone to feel safe and supported in seeking help early. There is no shame in wanting to be healthy and preventing or treating disease.

09/29/2026

Learning the facts about tuberculosis (TB) is one of the best ways to reduce fear and misunderstanding. When people have clear and accurate information, TB feels less mysterious and that helps everyone feel more confident talking about it.
TB is an infectious disease that can affect anyone, and with the right support and care, it can be managed and cured. Sharing reliable information helps our communities stay informed. The more we learn together the stronger and healthier our communities become. To learn more about TB disease in Oregon visit our website at healthoregon.org/TB

08/12/2026

Fear of being judged or misunderstood can stop people from talking about symptoms or seeking help, this can delay testing and diagnosis. When we reduce this stigma, we help people feel comfortable seeking the care they need, which can reduce the spread of TB germs and create overall healthier communities.

08/11/2026

100 years ago, treatment for TB was quite different that what it is today. Those with TB often were moved to sanitoriums and were ill for long periods of time. While treatment for TB disease today can last for months, it does not mean your life is on hold. With proper medical care and support from public health, TB can be managed and treated safely.

08/10/2026

TB can affect anyone.
TB is not caused by lifestyle, personal choices or anything that anyone did wrong. It is important to remember this to help reduce stigma associated with TB. As a communicable disease TB can impact anyone anywhere.

08/06/2026

🚴‍♀️Happy Cycle to Work Day! Let’s celebrate the joy of pedaling through crisp autumn mornings and sunny spring days! Whether you’re commuting, exploring, or just out for fun, embrace the ride and share your journey with us! 🌈💪 Together, we can create a healthier planet & brighter smiles! Happy cycling! 🚲❤️

08/04/2026

The OHA TB Program website is filled with information and resources for patient education in many languages. You can find these at healthoregon.org/tb in a number of languages and formats.

The TB Program provides lab testing, technical assistance, TB medications and analysis of surveillance data to assist with identifying and treating TB disease and screening for TB

08/03/2026

TB disease and Latent TB Infection (LTBI) are treatable and curable. While TB has been around for thousands of years, in the past 100 years medical advancements have helped reduce the number of deaths in the U.S. and in Oregon we are thankful to have a very low number of TB cases each year that are able to successfully access treatment and cure the disease, going on to live healthy lives. Our public health nurses and community health workers in Oregon are wonderful and work daily to deliver thoughtful care and treatment to our communities impacted by TB disease and LTBI.

07/30/2026

If you are unsure where to go for a TB test or are looking for a low-cost option for TB testing, please reach out to the OHA TB Program via email at [email protected] so we can help get you connected with local TB screening. While our program does not directly do any testing, we are committed to helping Oregonians find the resources they need.