Tuberculosis is a serious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. There are two phases: latent infection and active disease.
Active TB disease can be spread through the air from one person to another when a person who is sick with TB disease coughs, laughs, sings or sneezes. Extended close contact with someone with infectious TB disease is usually required for TB to spread.
Latent infection cannot be spread from one person to another.
TB is spread through the air when a person with active TB disease coughs or sneezes.
People nearby can breathe in these bacteria and become infected.
People with the highest risk are those who have prolonged or frequent contact with an infected individual, such as family members, friends or coworkers.
Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick.
People with a latent TB infection have TB bacteria in their body, but their immune system can fight off the infection. They do not feel sick and do not have symptoms of TB infection. They cannot spread the infection to others. People with a latent TB infection will usually test positive test for TB.
People with TB disease have active bacteria in their body. They are usually sick and have symptoms of TB. They can spread the infection to others and require treatment for TB disease.
Many people with latent TB infection will never develop TB disease. However, the bacteria can become active and cause TB disease. Sometimes patients with a latent TB infection will need treatment to prevent TB disease.
| A Person with Latent TB Infection | A Person with TB Disease |
|---|---|
| Has no symptoms | Has symptoms that may include:
|
| Does not feel sick | Usually feels sick |
| Cannot spread TB bacteria to others | May spread TB bacteria to others |
| Usually has a skin test or blood test result indicating TB infection | Usually has a skin test or blood test result 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 latent TB infection to prevent active TB disease | Needs treatment for active TB disease |
Most people infected with the bacteria that cause TB never develop TB disease.
If TB disease does develop, symptoms can occur two to three months after infection or even years later.
Symptoms of TB disease depend on what part of the body is infected. Symptoms of TB disease include:
- persistent coughing
- fatigue
- weight loss
- fever
- night sweats
While anyone can develop a TB infection, some people have a higher risk for developing TB disease.
People with a high risk of developing an active TB infection include:
- People with HIV infection
- People who became infected with the TB bacteria during the last two years
- Injection Drug users
- People with weakened immune systems
- Babies, young children, and the elderly
- People who were not properly treated for TB in the past
The Health Department provides testing only for people who have been identified as contacts of a case of active TB disease.
If you need TB testing for school or work, contact your primary care provider or an occupational health services provider.
Someone who has both HIV and a latent TB infection is much more likely to develop TB disease. HIV is the strongest risk factor for people with a latent TB infection to develop TB disease.
All people living with HIV should be tested for TB. An untreated latent TB infection can quickly progress into TB disease among people with HIV.
Treatment is available for people with both HIV and TB.
There are several treatment options to prevent latent TB infections from developing into TB disease.
You and your health care provider should discuss what treatment plan is appropriate for you.
Taking medicine as directed can prevent progression to TB disease.
Travelers who will be working in a health care setting where there are known TB patients should ask about procedures for preventing TB exposures.
Travelers who anticipate exposure to people with TB should have a TB skin or blood test before leaving the United States. If the test is negative, they should have a repeat test eight to 10 weeks after they return to the United States.
For additional information, consult with a travel clinic or with your health care professional about specific recommendations.
CDC has prepared information for travelers about tuberculosis