City of Philadelphia

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Tuberculosis Control Program

Working to prevent the spread of tuberculosis in Philadelphia and provide care for patients with tuberculosis.

Services

Directly observed therapy
How to get directly observed therapy (DOT) for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB).

About

The Department of Public Health works with healthcare providers, hospitals, and laboratories to identify people in Philadelphia with suspected or confirmed tuberculosis (TB). This includes people who may have been exposed to TB, as well as those who suffer from latent infections and are at high risk for developing the disease.

The Tuberculosis Control Program helps people get tested for TB and receive appropriate treatment, such as directly observed therapy (DOT). Patients are also eligible for case management services. A case manager can:

  • Help patients find and access available services.
  • Pick up and deliver free medication to patients.
  • Arrange testing and treatment for people who have come in contact with the patient.

Other services include medical evaluations, tuberculin testing, sputum induction, HIV screening, and screening for possible side effects from taking TB medications. All services and medications are free.

In all cases, the Tuberculosis Control Program maintains the patient's confidentiality.

Connect

Address
Lawrence F. Flick Memorial Center
1930 S. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19145
Phone: (215) 685-6873

Testing for TB

Most healthcare providers can refer people for TB testing. If you do not have a primary care physician or insurance, you can get TB testing and diagnosis at a City health center.

You should get tested for TB if you:

  • Have symptoms of active TB. This may include a bad cough that lasts three weeks or longer, pain in the chest, and coughing up blood, as well as weakness, weight loss, and other symptoms.
  • Have spent time with a person known or suspected to have active TB disease.
  • Have HIV or another condition that weakens the immune system.
  • Are from a country where active TB is very common.
  • Live where active TB is more common, such as a homeless shelter, migrant farm camp, prison or jail, or some nursing homes.
  • Inject illegal drugs.

If you test positive for TB, your medical provider or healthcare facility can refer you to the Tuberculosis Control Program.

Tuberculosis reporting and surveillance

The Tuberculosis Control Program conducts disease surveillance for both TB infection and TB disease through contact investigations of infectious cases and source case investigations.

Tuberculosis is a notifiable condition in Philadelphia. All suspected cases of TB must be reported to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health's Tuberculosis Control Program within 24 hours. Report cases by calling  (215) 685-6873 during business hours or completing and faxing an TB reporting form to (215) 685-6477.

Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Learn about risk factors, signs and symptoms, and how to prevent the spread of TB.
PA Department of Health
Explore links for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers.
Tuberculosis surveillance reports
Review recent local data by age, gender, race and ethnicity, and other demographic indicators.
Education materials in multiple languages
Download fact sheets, brochures, and other materials about TB from the CDC.

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