• The only way to contract the disease is by close contact (several hours a day) with someone who has the disease. It cannot be spread by contact with someone's clothing, drinking glass, eating utensils, handshake, toilet or other surfaces.
• TB germs can live in the body without making a person sick. This is called latent TB infection. This means the TB germs are inactive (sleeping). The inactive germs cannot be passed to anyone else.
• TB disease causes illness when TB germs are active (multiplying in the body). These germs usually attack the lungs. They can also attack other parts of the body, such as the kidney, brain or spine.
• Symptoms of TB can include a cough of longer than three weeks, unexplained weight loss, night sweats, chills, fever and coughing up blood.
• If you have been around someone who has TB disease, go to your doctor or your local health department for testing.
• To diagnose TB disease, other tests such as chest x-ray and a sample of sputum (phlegm that is coughed up from deep in the lungs) may be needed.
• TB Fact Sheet / La tuberculosis: Información general
• Questions and Answers about TB / Preguntas y respuestas sobre la tuberculosis
• Latent Tuberculosis Infection: A Guide for Primary Health Care Providers

The Olathe walk-in health clinic is closed for employee in-service training on the second Friday of every month. Closure dates in 2024: Jan. 12, Feb. 9, March 8, April 12, May 10, June 14, July 12, Aug. 9, Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8 and Dec. 13. Tuberculosis skin tests will not be offered on the Wednesday before these dates.

There are two tests that can be used to help detect tuberculosis (TB) infection: a skin test or a blood test. TB testing is available on a walk-in basis at the Olathe and Mission clinics. No appointment is needed for initial testing. During high volume times, we may need to temporarily suspend our walk-in services. 

Before TB testing, notify your healthcare worker if you have ever had a “positive” reaction to a TB skin test or if you have been treated with TB drugs in the past. The results of the TB blood test are not affected by a past history of receiving BCG.

State law requires that cases of TB be reported to the local or state health department. Disease Reportable by Kansas Law - (K.S.A. 65-118, 65-128, 65-6001 through 65-6007, K.A.R. 28-1/2, 28-1-18).

• Johnson County Physician Follow-Up Form for Tuberculosis
• Kansas Tuberculosis Control Program
• TB Testing Client Registration Form
• Formulario de registración del cliente para la prueba del TB

Cost: $35 (Check your health benefit plan to confirm coverage for this service. For those without health insurance, payment is due at the time of service.)

Available at the Olathe Walk-In Health Clinic:

• Monday: 8 a.m.-3:45 p.m. (Nov. 25: TB skin tests must be completed by 1:45 p.m.)
• Tuesday: 8 a.m.-3:45 p.m. (Nov. 26: No testing)
• Wednesday: 8-11:45 a.m. (Nov. 27: No testing, readings only until 1:45 p.m.)
• Thursday (no testing, readings only): 8 a.m.-3:45 p.m. (Nov. 28: CLOSED)
• Friday: 8-11:45 a.m. (Nov. 29: CLOSED)

Available at the Mission Walk-In Health Clinic:

• Monday: 8 a.m.-3:45 p.m. (Nov. 25: CLOSED)
• Tuesday: 8 a.m.-3:45 p.m. (Nov. 26: CLOSED)
• Wednesday (no testing, readings only): 8 a.m.-3:45 p.m. (Nov. 27: CLOSED)
• Thursday (no testing, readings only): 8 a.m.-3:45 p.m. (Nov. 28: CLOSED)
• Friday: CLOSED

Cost: $90 per test (Insurance not accepted for this service. Payment is due at the time of service.)

Learn more about the Tuberculosis Blood Test (IGRA) - English / Spanish

Available at the Olathe Walk-In Health Clinic:

• Monday: 8 a.m.-noon 
• Tuesday: 8 a.m.-noon (Nov. 26: No testing)
• Wednesday: 8 a.m.-noon (Nov. 27: No testing)
• Thursday: 8 a.m.-noon (Nov. 28: CLOSED)
• Friday: 8 a.m.-noon (Nov. 29: CLOSED)