Basic TB Facts
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium calledMycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.
How TB Spreads
TB is spread through the air from one person to another. The TB bacteria are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected.
TB is NOT spread by
TB is NOT spread by
- shaking someone's hand
- sharing food or drink
- touching bed linens or toilet seats
- sharing toothbrushes
- kissing
Latent TB Infection and TB Disease
Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection and TB disease.
Latent TB Infection
TB bacteria can live in the body without making you sick. This is called latent TB infection. In most people who breathe in TB bacteria and become infected, the body is able to fight the bacteria to stop them from growing. People with latent TB infection do not feel sick and do not have any symptoms. People with latent TB infection are not infectious and cannot spread TB bacteria to others. However, if TB bacteria become active in the body and multiply, the person will go from having latent TB infection to being sick with TB disease.
TB Disease
TB bacteria become active if the immune system can't stop them from growing. When TB bacteria are active (multiplying in your body), this is called TB disease. People with TB disease are sick. They may also be able to spread the bacteria to people they spend time with every day.
Many people who have latent TB infection never develop TB disease. Some people develop TB disease soon after becoming infected (within weeks) before their immune system can fight the TB bacteria. Other people may get sick years later when their immune system becomes weak for another reason.
For people whose immune systems are weak, especially those with HIV infection, the risk of developing TB disease is much higher than for people with normal immune systems. Learn more about the difference between LTBI and TB Disease.
Related Links
For Patients
- TB - General Information (Fact sheet)
- Basic Tuberculosis Facts (Audio Podcast)
- Questions and Answers About TB (Booklet)
- The Difference Between Latent TB Infection and TB Disease (Fact sheet)
- Get the Facts About TB Disease (Pamphlet) (PDF - 430k)
- What You Need to Know about TB Infection (Pamphlet) (PDF - 409k)
- Tuberculosis Information for Employers in Non-Healthcare Settings (Fact sheet)
For Health Care Providers
- TB - General Information (Fact sheet)
- TB Guidelines
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