WHO_HTM_TB_2012_14
Routine HIV testing should be offered to all patients with presumptive and diagnosed TB.
Routine HIV testing should be offered to all patients with presumptive and diagnosed TB.
The GRADE evidence assessment confirmed that the quality of evidence for
commercial serodiagnostic tests was very low, with harms/risks far outweighing any potential benefits. It is therefore recommended that these tests should not be used
in individuals suspected of active pulmonary or extra-pulmonary TB, irrespective of their HIV status.
TB patients should be screened for diabetes at the start of TB treatment,
where resources for diagnosis are available. Type of screening and
diagnostic tests should be adapted to the context of local health
systems and the availability of resources, while awaiting additional
evidence on the best screening and diagnostic approach.
Treatment and case management of TB in people with diabetes should
be provided in accordance with existing TB treatment guidelines and
international standards. The same TB treatment regimen should be
prescribed to people with diabetes as for people without diabetes.
Screening for active TB on broader indications (for example in all people
diagnosed with diabetes, regardless of symptoms) should be explored
as part of the research agenda for improved TB diagnosis among people
with diabetes.
Establish and provide adequate financial resources for prevention, treatment, care and support programmes to prevent the occupational or non-occupational transmission of HIV and TB among health workers.
Adapt and implement good practices in occupational health and the management of HIV and TB in
the workplace from all sectors.
Disseminate policies in the form of guidelines and codes of practices for application at the level of
health facilities, and ensure provision of budgets for the training and material inputs to make them
operational.
Develop and implement training programmes for pre-service, in-service and continuing education
on TB and HIV prevention, treatment and care services, integrating with existing programmes and
including managers and worker representatives as well as health workers.
In conjunction with health workers’ representatives, develop and implement programmes for regular, free, voluntary, and confidential counselling and testing for HIV and TB, including addressing sexual and reproductive health issues, as well as intensified case finding in the families of health workers with TB.