Health Topics for Infectious Diseases

Department of Internal Medicine: Infectious Diseases

Department of Internal Medicine: Travel Medicine

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is an infectious bacterial disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A person who is infected with tuberculosis may spread it by sneezing, talking, or coughing. Tuberculosis is often referred to as TB and it is a disease that both children and adults can get.

Tuberculosis can affect many parts of the body, but it most often attacks the lungs. The bacteria can destroy parts of the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. Most people who are infected with TB bacteria do not develop active TB.

Most people are able to fight the infection and their lungs build a wall around the bacteria. However, the walling in process does not kill the bacteria and if you become weak, ill or undernourished, you may start having active TB. About 10% of people exposed to TB develop active TB.

Some people are at a higher risk for getting TB such as:

• those who live in institutions
• those who are homeless
• IV drug users and chronic alcoholics
• those who are malnourished
• those with other chronic diseases such as diabetes, HIV, and cancer
• the young and the elderly
• those who live in areas where there are high rates of TB and
• healthcare workers who take care of patients with TB

Tuberculosis is very contagious. It is spread mainly through the air. You can get TB by breathing in the tuberculosis bacteria from an infected person who sneezes, talks, or coughs on you. These droplets can remain floating in the air for several hours. If the person with TB is being treated for TB and has taken their medication for 2 weeks, they cannot spread the disease. It is nearly impossible to catch TB, unless you are constantly exposed by living or working in close quarters with someone who has the active disease.

The symptoms of TB can begin anytime from 2 months to several years after being exposed. The infected individual may have no symptoms at all or they may have:

• a low fever
• a cough that starts out dry but later produces yellow or green phlegm, and is occasionally bloody
• weight loss
• tiredness
• night sweats and
• chest pain, back pain, or pain over the kidneys

Tuberculosis is diagnosed with a skin test, chest x-ray, and a laboratory sample of phlegm (sputum). TB skin testing can determine if you have been exposed to TB. People who work in prisons, hospitals, and long term care facilities should be tested yearly. Check with your provider to find out how often you should be tested.

The treatment for TB, both active and latent, may require a combination of several medications. Treatment is usually a minimum of 6 months, with follow up treatment over a period of time. Recently, certain types of TB have become resistant to medications. It is extremely difficult to treat patients with these types of TB.

If you have been exposed or if you develop active TB disease, be sure to take all your medications as ordered until they are all gone. It is important that you continue to see your provider to make sure tuberculosis does not return.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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