Home isolation for TB

A patient guide and practical advice on how to prevent the spread of tuberculosis (TB)

When is TB infectious?

Tuberculosis (TB) in the lungs and throat is a serious infectious illness. TB is spread from person to person through the air when you cough, talk loudly, sneeze, laugh or sing.

TB can affect other parts of the body, but only TB in the lungs and throat is infectious.

What is home isolation?

'Home isolation' is when you are required to stay at home and limit your activities to prevent the spread of infectious TB. This means avoiding enclosed public spaces and other areas where people gather.

How long will I need to be in home isolation?

You will need to be in home isolation for at least two weeks, but it might be longer. Your TB specialist nurse/ doctor will tell you when you can stop home isolation.

How do I protect people around me at home?

✔️It is OK to continue living with the same people as before your diagnosis. They will be contacted by your specialist nurse for them to have TB screening tests.

❌Do not have new visitors to your home.

❌Stay away from people who have a greater risk of catching TB, such as young children and people with a weak immune system.

Please note: TB is not spread by sharing plates, cups or utensils, or on clothing, linen or furniture. It cannot be spread by using a toilet or by touch, such as shaking hands.

How do I protect people around me in the community?

You should stay at home, but you can go outside for a walk, avoiding crowded areas.

✔️Keep your TB appointments.

✔️Reschedule other routine appointments, such as the dentist and other medical appointments. If you think the appointment is urgent, you should phone them in advance to discuss.

❌Avoid public transport.

❌Stay off work, school/ college.

❌Do not go to enclosed public places such as shops, cinemas, restaurants, gyms and libraries.

❌Do not go to places of worship, for example mosques, churches and temples.

❌Do not attend community or family gatherings.

If you need a letter from the hospital for work or school/ college to explain your absence please ask your specialist nurse or doctor.

If you require emergency care, make sure you tell the ambulance team and hospital that you are being treated for TB.

Tips for coping with home isolation

Home isolation can be difficult, but it is necessary to prevent the spread of TB. Remember that this is temporary. As long as you correctly take your medicines, you will return to normal life soon.

✔️Try to have a routine.

✔️Go out for walks.

✔️Keep in contact with family and friends by telephone and email.

What are my responsibilities?

✔️Follow home isolation advice.

✔️Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and put this in a bin after every use.

✔️Take your medicines as instructed and attend your TB appointments.

✔️Provide weekly sputum samples as instructed by your TB specialist nurse.

Contacts/ further information

TB specialist nurses: 01223 216431 or via MyChart (opens in a new tab).

The charity TB alert (opens in a new tab) provides information and support for people with TB via The Truth About TB (opens in a new tab).

References / sources of evidence

Royal College of Nursing, 2019. A Case Management Tool for TB Prevention, Care and Control in the UK (opens in a new tab) [pdf] London: Royal College of Nursing.