Tuberculosis (TB) Program

The Coastal Health District Tuberculosis (TB) program is dedicated to preventing the spread of TB through education and outreach and treating those with TB.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB bacteria can attack any part of the body, but usually attacks the lungs. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal. TB is spread through the air from one person to another when a person with active TB coughs or sneezes.

Symptoms of TB depend on where in the body the TB bacteria are growing. TB bacteria usually grow in the lungs. TB in the lungs may cause symptoms such as:

A bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer
Pain in the chest
Coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs)
Weakness or fatigue
Weight loss
No appetite
Chills
Fever
Sweating at night

Certain people should be tested for TB infection because they are at higher risk for being infected with TB bacteria, including:

People who have spent time with someone who has TB disease
People from a country where TB disease is common (most countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Russia)
People who live or work in high-risk settings (for example: correctional facilities, long-term care facilities or nursing homes, and homeless shelters)
Health-care workers who care for patients at increased risk for TB disease
Infants, children and adolescents exposed to adults who are at increased risk for latent tuberculosis infection or TB disease

A TB skin test is given to determine TB infection. You can get this test at the Health Department or your primary physician’s office. Tuberculin Skin Testing is available at all county health departments in our district on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday’s during business hours. Skin tests must be read 48-72 hours after placement. The cost is $40.00. Please call the health department in your county to see if an appointment is needed.

Public Health investigates and monitors cases of TB to control transmission and prevent community outbreaks. We also provide medication and chest x-rays if needed.

More information on Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis Surveillance Report 2024 [PDF, 1.59 MB]
Georgia TB Reference Guide 2020 (PDF) [PDF, 9.66 MB]
Tuberculosis (TB) | CDC
Personal Stories of TB

If you’re a healthcare provider needing to report a suspected tuberculosis case, please contact either a TB member in your county or a member of our District Team in the list below.

If you have questions about test results or have questions about tuberculosis, please reach out to our District Team. We are here to help and advise as needed.

Our TB Team

District TB Coordinator
Jennifer Riemann
912-644-5224

District TB Nurse
Grace Greene
912-262-3033
Fax: 912-262-2315

Bryan County
Pembroke & Richmond Hill
Heidi Woodard, RN
912-756-2611

Camden County
Dagmar Carroll, RN
912-882-8515, Ext. 219

Chatham County
Rushena Garner, RN
912-356-2155
Fax: 912-353-3195

Effingham County
Bethany Thornton, RN
912-754-6484

Glynn County
Kayla Mosley, RN
912-264-3961, Ext. 3252

Liberty County
Rayonna McGregor, R.N.
912-876-2173 Ext. 130

Long County
Lisa Palmer, RN
912-545-2107. Ext. 233

McIntosh County
Brooke Deverger, RN
912-832-5473. Ext. 110

Georgia Coastal Health District