Are Health Workers Who Look After TB Patients At Risk Of Getting TB?

This may seem an obvious question with an obvious answer but the risk of TB is a lot more complex than it first appears. TB is still endemic in the poorer countries such as Russia, African states, and others and health workers are exposed to people with TB on a daily basis. Studies have shown that they do indeed have a higher rate of latent infection than people who are not health care workers. This is despite the fact that they all get repeated doses of the BCG vaccine.

The complication over the vaccine is worrying, because it is supposed to provide at least some protection for people who have had it just once. Currently, there is quite a bit of research going on to identify and develop new TB vaccines and these may be more effective. In the meantime, hospitals are working to test healthcare workers regularly and treat them with courses of antibiotics as and when required.