The Coastal Health District of Georgia serves the counties of Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long & McIntosh

Tuberculosis (TB) Program

The Coastal Health District Tuberculosis (TB) program is dedicated to preventing the spread of TB through education and outreach and treating those with TB. Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB bacteria can attack any part of the body, but usually attacks the lungs. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal. TB is spread through the air from one person to another when a person with active TB coughs or sneezes. Symptoms of TB depend on where in the body the TB bacteria are growing. TB bacteria usually grow in the lungs. TB in the lungs may cause symptoms such as:

Certain people should be tested for TB infection because they are at higher risk for being infected with TB bacteria, including:

A TB skin test is given to determine TB infection. You can get this test at the Health Department or your primary physician’s office. Tuberculin Skin Testing is available at all county health departments in our district on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday’s during business hours. Skin tests must be read 48-72 hours after placement. The cost is $40.00. Please call the health department in your county to see if an appointment is needed.

Public Health investigates and monitors cases of TB to control transmission and prevent community outbreaks. We also provide medication and chest x-rays if needed.

More information on Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis Surveillance Report 2022
Georgia TB Reference Guide 2020 (PDF)
Tuberculosis (TB) | CDC
Personal Stories of TB


Our TB Team

District TB Coordinator
Jennifer Riemann
912-644-5224

District TB Nurse
Grace Greene
912-262-3033

Bryan County
Pembroke & Richmond Hill
Laurie Mehlhorn, RN
Heidi Woodard, RN
912-756-2611

Camden County
Melissa Perkins, RN
912-882-8515, Ext. 21

Chatham County
Rushena Garner, RN
912-356-2155

Effingham County
Bethany Thornton, RN
912-754-6484

Glynn County
Morgan Ryals, RN, BSN
912-264-3961, Ext. 3252

Liberty County
Rayonna McGregor, R.N.
912-876-2173 Ext. 130

Long County
Lisa Palmer, RN
912-545-2107. Ext. 233

McIntosh County
Brooke Deverger, RN
912-832-5473. Ext. 110