Prevention of TB in facilities caring for HIV-infected persons

With a high burden of TB patients in close proximity to large numbers of vulnerable patients frequently visiting the ART centre, there is an increased risk of TB transmission. Factors like overcrowding, inadequate natural ventilation and re-circulating air-conditioners add to this risk.

ART centres are required to initiate the following measures aimed at reducing the exposure of HIV-infected patients to M. tuberculosis:

1. Infection control activities

Isoniazid Preventive Therapy [IPT] in People Living with HIV [PLHIV]

Isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT) administration in People Living with HIV (PLHIV) prevents the incidence and relapse of TB and is a key public health intervention for TB prevention in PLHIV. Concomitant administration of Anti-retroviral Therapy (ART) and IPT, restores TB-specific immunity and prolongs the beneficial effect of IPT.

Treatment of DR-TB with HIV Coinfection

Principles of treating Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) in People Living with HIV (PLHIV):

1. Initiate an appropriate second-line anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT) regimen, depending on the drug-sensitivity profile

2. Initiate anti-retroviral therapy (ART) as early as possible, preferably as soon as ATT is tolerated, maximum within two weeks. HIV-infected DR-TB patients without the benefit of ART may experience mortality rates exceeding 90%

Supervisory role of the DR-TB HIV Coordinator for DR-TB patients

The District Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) HIV coordinator ensures treatment initiation, public health actions, logistics, and follow-up of the patient in coordination with the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) staff (STS/ STLS), PHI/ treatment centre and DR-TBC/Nodal DR-TBC.

The DR-TB HIV coordinator receives the information about the newly diagnosed DR-TB patient from the lab and coordinates with the field staff/ medical officer of the concerned area. DR-TB HIV coordinator need to coordinate in

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