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Tuberculosis (TB)

Condition Basics

What is tuberculosis (TB)?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious disease caused by a type of bacteria that is spread through the air. TB is easily spread from person to person through coughs or sneezes. TB usually occurs in the lungs. But it can spread to other parts of the body.

TB is either active or latent.

  • Active TB means that the TB bacteria are growing and causing symptoms. If your lungs are infected with active TB, it's easy to spread the disease to others.
  • Latent TB means that you have the TB bacteria in your body, but your body's defenses (immune system) are keeping it from turning into active TB. This means that you don't have any symptoms of TB right now and can't spread the disease to others. If you have latent TB, it can become active TB.

What causes it?

TB is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This is a type of slow-growing bacteria. It thrives in parts of the body that are rich in blood and oxygen, such as the lungs.

What are the symptoms?

People with latent TB don't have symptoms. Symptoms of active TB may include a cough that brings up a thick mucus, tiredness, weight loss, fever, a fast heartbeat, or swelling in the neck. In rare cases, you may have shortness of breath and chest pain.

How is it diagnosed?

A skin or blood test is used to check for TB. To find TB in the lungs, doctors may test lung mucus or do a chest X-ray. To find TB that's not in the lungs, doctors may check a tissue sample (biopsybiopsy) or do imaging tests.

How is TB treated?

TB is treated with antibioticsantibiotics to kill the TB bacteria. How many antibiotics are used and how long you'll take them may depend on whether you have active or latent TB. TB can only be cured if you take all the doses of your medicine.

How It Spreads What Increases Your Risk Prevention Symptoms What Happens When to Call a Doctor Exams and Tests Treatment Overview Self-Care References

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC StaffIgnite Healthwise, LLC Staff

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