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Tuberculosis What is Tuberculosis (TB)? Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by germs that spread through the air from person to person. TB most often affects the lungs, but it can also impact other parts of the body, including the brain, kidneys, and spine. People with weakened immune systems, including some people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), are at higher risk for developing active TB disease. Not everyone infected with TB germs becomes sick.
There are two TB-related conditions:
1
Latent TB Infection (Inactive TB): TB germs are in the body, but the person does not feel sick and cannot spread TB to others.
2
TB Disease (Active TB): TB germs are active, making the person sick and able to spread TB to others.
A Person with Inactive TB
A Person with Active TB
Has a small amount of TB germs in their body that are alive but inactive.
Has a large amount of active TB germs in their body.
Has no symptoms and does not feel sick.
Has symptoms and feels sick.
Cannot spread TB germs to others.
May spread TB germs to others.
Usually has a positive TB blood test or TB skin test indicating TB infection
Usually has a positive TB blood test or TB skin test indicating TB infection.
Has a normal chest x-ray and a negative sputum smear.
May have an abnormal chest x-ray, or positive sputum smear or culture.
Needs treatment for inactive TB to prevent active TB disease.
Needs treatment for active TB disease.
If your body cannot stop TB germs from growing, you develop active TB disease. Symptoms of active TB include:
A cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer, Fever, Coughing up blood or sputum, Chills, Weakness or fatigue, Chest pain, Night sweats, Loss of appetite, and Weight loss.
For more information & resources:
info@spthb.org | www.spthb.org
Testing for
Tuberculosis Testing for Tuberculosis (TB) Getting tested and treated for TB can protect yourself, your family, friends, and community. This is especially important for people at higher risk, including those living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). There are two types of tests for TB infection: TB blood test and the TB skin test.
Tell your doctor if you received a TB Vaccine! Many people born outside of the United States may
TB blood tests are the preferred testing method for
have received the BCG vaccine. While the vaccine can
people who have received the Bacille Calmette-Guérin
help protect against severe forms of TB in children, it
(BCG) TB vaccine. Unlike the TB skin test, TB blood
does not fully prevent TB infection or disease.
tests are not affected by prior BCG vaccination.
A positive TB skin test in someone who received the BCG vaccine may be caused by the BCG vaccine itself or infection with TB germs. Be sure to let your healthcare provider know if you have received the BCG vaccine so they can recommend the most appropriate TB test.
TB Can Be Treated TB germs can live in the body for years without causing symptoms. If you have inactive TB, treatment is the best way to prevent active TB disease from developing in the future. If you have been diagnosed with active TB disease, it can be treated with medication. It is important to take and complete all TB medicines exactly as directed by your doctor or nurse. This helps recovery and prevents the spread of TB to others.
Questions About TB? Ask your doctor or healthcare provider if you: Have questions about TB Think you may have been exposed to TB Have symptoms of TB Believe you should be tested for TB
For more information & resources:
info@spthb.org | www.spthb.org
For more information about TB:
Please Visit: https://www.cdc.gov/tb/about/index.html