Pregnant women newly positive for TB
Chest x-rays should be done as soon as possible
Medical care providers are reminded that pregnant women screened for tuberculosis (TB) infection during their prenatal care and found to be newly positive must receive a chest x-ray as soon as possible in order to evaluate risk of progression to active pulmonary TB disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control:
Because of the risk for progressive and/or congenital TB, pregnant women who have a positive tuberculin skin test or who have negative skin-test results but who are recent contacts of persons with infectious TB disease should have chest radiographs (with appropriate shielding) as soon as feasible, even during the first trimester of pregnancy. (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Vol. 49, No. RR-6)
Delaying the chest x-ray until after delivery can cause extra work and needless concern for hospital obstetric and pediatric staff, as illustrated by several recent incidents . In one such incident, an abnormal chest x-ray taken post-partum forced a local hospital to place the mother on respiratory isolation and separate her from her newborn until active TB was ruled out. It also caused a delay in discharging mother and newborn from the hospital.
Please feel free to contact the Health Department’s TB Unit (755-4593) if you have any questions or concerns regarding this advisory.
Changes in TB Staffing
Dr. Richard Tezak has retired from his position of TB Controller. As of the first of July the TB Controller duties will transfer to Dr. Lisa Hernandez, Interim Health Officer and the clinical duties will transfer to Dr. Jacqueline Sedgwick.
Starting July 3rd, Dr. Sedgwick will begin seeing patients with tuberculosis infection at Monterey County’s Pulmonary Disease Clinics on Tuesday afternoons at the Alisal Clinic and Wednesday afternoons at the Seaside Clinic. Dr. Sedgwick will continue to see primary care patients Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays at the Seaside Clinic. If you have an urgent need or question please call her at 899-8107. For routine questions regarding tuberculosis infections, Dr. Sedgwick will be available on Tuesday mornings at 755-4630. For other TB issues contact Dr. Lisa Hernandez at 755-4585.
