The rate of TB among detainees is on a higher scale when compared with the general US population. Completion of TB treatment requires at least six months and can prevent relapse and the emergence of drug resistance. Health care authorities have reported an alarming rise in the trend of immigrants who have contracted the disease not completing the treatment – this can usually cause a relapse of the infectious ailment. Immigrant patients have been seen to start the treatment earnestly only to discontinue it midway.
The Immigration Medical examination is mandatory for immigrants in the US – they must compulsorily go in for chest X-rays to rule out this disease altogether.
