The Public

What is tuberculosis (TB)?
TB is a disease caused by a bacterium called mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). The bacteria, or germs, typically affect the lungs; however, TB can affect other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, spine, or brain.
What is latent TB infection?
Latent TB infection is a condition when TB germs are in the body but aren’t active. People with TB infection have no symptoms, don’t feel sick, and can’t spread TB to others. The body’s immune system is usually able to fight off the TB germs, but they can become active in the body later, resulting in TB disease. It is important to treat TB infection to avoid the progression to TB disease.
What is TB disease?
Active TB disease is an illness caused when TB bacteria attack a part of the body, usually the lungs. A person with active TB feels sick and can spread TB to others. People with TB disease are more likely to spread TB germs to people they spend a lot of time with, such as family, friends, and coworkers.
How does TB spread?
TB spreads through the air when a person with active TB disease coughs, sneezes, speaks, sings, or laughs. Anyone near the person with active TB can inhale the germs and become infected.
What are the symptoms of TB disease?
The symptoms of TB disease include:
- Coughing for more than 2 weeks
- Feeling weak
- Chest pain
- Night sweats
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fever
- Chills
- Coughing up blood or mucous
Who is at risk for getting TB infection?
Populations at a higher risk for TB infection include:
- People who live or work in places where TB is more common (jails, prisons, homeless shelters)
- People who were born in or visit a place where TB is more common
- People who have been in close contact with someone who has active TB disease
Who is at risk for TB disease?
Not everyone with TB infection will develop TB disease. Some people who have TB infection are more likely to develop TB disease than others. This includes:
- Those who have medical conditions that weaken the immune system (e.g., HIV, substance use, organ transplants, diabetes, silicosis)
- Children under the age of 5
How do you test for TB?
There are two types of TB tests: the TB blood test and the TB skin test. Blood tests use a blood sample to see if it is infected with TB germs. The TB skin test requires that a health care worker injects a small amount of testing fluid (called tuberculin) into the skin, usually on the forearm. After 2 days, the patient must return to have the skin test read by a healthcare worker.
What does a positive test result mean?
A positive test indicates the presence of TB germs in the body. Additional steps need to be taken to see if it is TB disease. This usually includes a chest x-ray and an examination of sputum/phlegm that is coughed up.
How do you treat TB?
Both TB infection and TB disease require treatment. Treating TB infection is essential to preventing TB disease. TB infection is treated using anti-TB medications (e.g. isoniazid, rifapentine, and rifampin). These medications must be taken as instructed by a doctor for 3-4 months. TB disease must be treated to avoid worsening of the disease, or even death. It is commonly treated using anti-TB medications (e.g. rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol). These need to be taken as instructed by a doctor for 6-9 months. Some patients may have drug-resistant TB and require additional medications.
What if I have been vaccinated with the bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine?
BBG is a vaccine for TB. It is not typically used in the United States, but is common in many countries. It protects young children from getting severe forms of TB disease. It is not thought to protect adults from getting TB disease of the lungs. People with the BCG vaccine can still get infected with TB later in life. The BCG vaccine may cause a false-positive TB skin test for some people. It is recommended that those who have received the vaccine get a TB blood test instead.

Tuberculosis Control Program