What is tuberculosis?
- Tuberculosis (TB) of the lungs or throat is contagious and is spread from person to person through the air when a person with TB coughs, sneezes, talks, laughs or sings.
- TB is not spread by sharing utensils, plates, cups, clothing, bed linen, furniture, toilets or by shaking hands.
What is home isolation for tuberculosis?
- Home isolation means a person who has been diagnosed with TB must stay at home and not go out to public places to prevent spreading TB bacteria to others.
- Home isolation will also be required if a person is suspected of having TB and is waiting for test results.
- A person on home isolation must not go to work, school, places of worship, restaurants, movies, grocery stores, shopping malls or any other indoor public place.
- A person on home isolation must not ride on buses, subways, trains, airplanes or any other form of public transportation.
- If necessary, a taxi can be used to attend needed healthcare appointments and only if the person on home isolation is wearing a mask.
- No visitors are allowed in the home except for healthcare workers.
How can you protect your family?
- Sleep in your own room, separate from other people.
- Open your windows to let the TB germs out.
- No children under the age of five or people with a weak immune system should be present in the home at any time.
- Cover your mouth and nose with tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze. Throw used tissues in the garbage and wash your hands.
- Always wear a mask when you are around people in your home.
How can you protect other people?
- Stay home and do not have visitors.
- Stay away from public places.
- You may go outside for short walks around your neighborhood without wearing a mask but stay away from other people.
- Wear a surgical mask when you go for a laboratory test, x-ray or to see your doctor.
- If you must be picked up by an ambulance, wear a mask and inform the paramedics and the hospital emergency department that you have TB.
How long will I need to be on home isolation?
Suspected TB: Home isolation will be stopped when test results have ruled out TB or your healthcare provider no longer suspects TB.
Confirmed TB disease: The length of home isolation will depend on how well your body responds to the TB medication. This is based on the results of sputum tests, x-rays, and if your symptoms go away. Your doctor or public health nurse will let you know when you are no longer contagious and may resume normal activities.
Where can I get more information about tuberculosis?
Contact the Communicable Disease Control (CDC) Program at 705-474-1400, or toll-free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5229 or email us at cdc@healthunit.ca.
Visit the Health Unit's webpage for more information on Tuberculosis.
References:
- Canadian Journal of Respiratory, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine. Volume 6, Issue sup1 (2022). Canadian Tuberculosis Standards, 8th edition.
Created: March 2026, by CDC