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Guidelines on the Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in Ireland

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<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidel<strong>in</strong>es</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> Preventi<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> C<strong>on</strong>trol <strong>of</strong> <strong>Tuberculosis</strong> <strong>in</strong> Irel<strong>and</strong> 2010HSE/HPSCAppendix 11: Discharge <strong>in</strong>structi<strong>on</strong>s for patients with potentially<strong>in</strong>fectious TBYou have been placed <strong>on</strong> medicati<strong>on</strong> to treat TB. You are now be<strong>in</strong>g discharged home from hospital.However, your TB may rema<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>fectious (c<strong>on</strong>tagious) for some time l<strong>on</strong>ger. A number <strong>of</strong> general<strong>in</strong>structi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> temporary restricti<strong>on</strong>s are <strong>the</strong>refore be<strong>in</strong>g advised until it is certa<strong>in</strong> that you are no l<strong>on</strong>ger<strong>in</strong>fectious to o<strong>the</strong>rs. These restricti<strong>on</strong>s will help reduce any possibility <strong>of</strong> spread <strong>of</strong> TB germs to o<strong>the</strong>rpeople. You should follow <strong>the</strong>m carefully until you are advised o<strong>the</strong>rwise by <strong>the</strong> doctor who is treat<strong>in</strong>gyour TB.General <strong>in</strong>structi<strong>on</strong>s:• Take your TB medicati<strong>on</strong>s as <strong>in</strong>structed by your doctor• You should always cover your nose <strong>and</strong> mouth with a tissue when cough<strong>in</strong>g or sneez<strong>in</strong>g• Dispose <strong>of</strong> used tissues <strong>in</strong> a b<strong>in</strong> immediately after use <strong>and</strong> wash your h<strong>and</strong>s• It is ok to share eat<strong>in</strong>g utensils (spo<strong>on</strong>s, forks, cups or glasses) <strong>and</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r household items• Keep your doctor’s or cl<strong>in</strong>ic appo<strong>in</strong>tment so that you complete your treatment.Temporary restricti<strong>on</strong>s after hospital discharge• Do not go to work or school <strong>and</strong> you should avoid go<strong>in</strong>g to any public areas (e.g. c<strong>in</strong>ema, pubs orclubs, us<strong>in</strong>g public transport) until <strong>the</strong> doctor who is treat<strong>in</strong>g your TB says it is ok for you to do so.• If <strong>the</strong>re are o<strong>the</strong>rs liv<strong>in</strong>g at home you should- limit <strong>the</strong> time you spend <strong>in</strong> comm<strong>on</strong> household areas (e.g. kitchen or liv<strong>in</strong>g room) <strong>and</strong> keepyour bedroom door closed- If advised by your doctor to wear a surgical mask (as a temporary measure) that covers yournose <strong>and</strong> mouth (as expla<strong>in</strong>ed to you <strong>in</strong> hospital) when you are around o<strong>the</strong>r people, follow <strong>the</strong><strong>in</strong>structi<strong>on</strong>s given. This will reduce <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> TB germs that you put <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> air when youcough or talk.• You should not be around babies, young children or, to <strong>the</strong> best <strong>of</strong> your knowledge, people whohave weakened immune systems such as people with HIV/AIDS. (If <strong>the</strong>re are young children athome, you may still be discharged home if <strong>the</strong> children have been tested for TB <strong>in</strong>fecti<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> arebe<strong>in</strong>g followed up by <strong>the</strong> local public health department).These temporary restricti<strong>on</strong>s will be removed <strong>on</strong>ce your doctor decides that you are no l<strong>on</strong>ger <strong>in</strong>fectious.However, your TB treatment will c<strong>on</strong>t<strong>in</strong>ue until <strong>the</strong> course is completed.If you have any questi<strong>on</strong>s about your treatment, please call ……………………………….……Adapted with k<strong>in</strong>d permissi<strong>on</strong> from <strong>Tuberculosis</strong>, Cl<strong>in</strong>ical Policies <strong>and</strong> Protocols. New York City Department<strong>of</strong> Health <strong>and</strong> Mental Hygiene (2008). Available from www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/tb/tbprotocol.pdf.-184-

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