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When tuberculosis (TB) germs survive and multiply in the lungs, it is called a TB infection. A TB infection may be in one of three stages. Symptoms are different in each stage.
Primary TB infection. The first stage is called the primary infection. Immune system cells find and capture the germs. The immune system may completely destroy the germs. But some captured germs may still survive and multiply.
Most people don't have symptoms during a primary infection. Some people may get flu-like symptoms, such as:
•Low fever.
•Tiredness.
•Cough.
The symptoms of tuberculosis are similar to symptoms of many different illnesses. See your health care provider if you have symptoms that don't improve with a few days of rest.
Get emergency care if you have:
•Chest pain.
•Sudden, severe headache.
•Confusion.
•Seizures.
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Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
People with active TB disease in the lungs or voice box can spread the disease. They release tiny droplets that carry the bacteria through the air. This can happen when they're speaking, singing, laughing, coughing or sneezing. A person can get an infection after inhaling the droplets.
The disease is more likely to spread when people spend a lot of time together in an indoor space. So the disease spreads easily in places where people live or work together for long periods. Also, the disease spreads more easily in crowded gatherings.
A person with a latent TB infection cannot pass the disease to other people. A person taking drugs to treat active TB disease usually can't pass the disease after 2 to 3 weeks of treatment.
Anyone can get tuberculosis, but certain factors increase the risk of getting an infection. Other factors increase the risk of an infection becoming active TB disease.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a TB test for people who have an increased risk of TB infection or active TB disease. Talk to your health care provider if you have one or more of the following risk factors.
Preventing the spread of disease
If you have active TB disease, you'll need to take steps to prevent other people from getting an infection. You will take drugs for four, six or nine months. Take all of the drugs as directed during the entire time. During the first 2 to 3 weeks, you will be able to pass TB bacteria to others. Protect others with these steps:
Vaccinations
In countries where tuberculosis is common, infants often are vaccinated with the bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine. This protects infants and toddlers who are more likely to have active TB disease in the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The vaccine may not protect against disease in the lungs, which is more likely in the United States. Dozens of new TB vaccines are in various stages of development and testing. Request an appointment By Mayo Clinic Staff Mar 22, 2023 1.Tuberculosis (TB). Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/mycobacteria/tuberculosis-tb. Accessed Jan. 4, 2023. 2.Bennett JE, et al. Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In: Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Jan. 4, 2023. 3.Drug-resistant TB. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/drtb/default.htm. Accessed Jan. 4, 2023. 4.Questions and answers about tuberculosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/faqs/tb-qa.htm. Accessed Jan. 4, 2023. 5.AskMayoExpert. Tuberculosis. Mayo Clinic; 2022. 6.Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/mycobacteria/extrapulmonary-tuberculosis-tb. Accessed Jan. 4, 2023. 7.Bacterial meningitis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/bacterial.html. Accessed Jan. 24, 2023. 8.TB disease burden. Global Tuberculosis Report. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/teams/global-tuberculosis-programme/tb-reports/global-tuberculosis-report-2022/tb-disease-burden/2-1-tb-incidence. Accessed Jan. 25, 2023. 9.Treatment regimens for latent TB infection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/treatment/ltbi.htm. Accessed Jan. 26, 2023. 10.Treatment for TB disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/treatment/tbdisease.htm. Accessed Jan. 26, 2023. 11.Rizza SA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Feb. 7, 2023. Diagnosis & treatment 1.Diseases & Conditions 2.Tuberculosis symptoms & causes
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Causes. Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium (or germ) called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. When a person breathes in TB germs, the germs can settle in the lungs and begin to grow. From there, they can move through the blood to other parts of the body, such as the kidney, spine, and brain.
Nov 7, 2023 · As in the past decade, most of the spending on TB services in 2022 (80%) was from domestic sources. In low- and middle-income countries, international donor funding remains crucial. The main source is the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund).
For most Canadians, the risk of developing tuberculosis is very low. However, there are about 1,600 new cases of tuberculosis reported in Canada every year, so it is important to know the symptoms and how to minimize your risk. Learn more about symptoms and who is at risk.
Tuberculosis symptoms. The symptoms of active tuberculosis disease include: a bad cough that: lasts longer than 2 weeks. makes you cough up blood sometimes. makes you cough up phlegm sometimes (thick liquid that comes up from your lungs or airways) chest pain. weakness or tiredness. weight loss.
People also ask
How does TB spread?
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What is active TB disease?
Related signs and symptoms. Tuberculosis is an infectious, chronic granulomatous disease, now classified as TB infection or TB disease (i.e., active — pulmonary and/or extrapulmonary). About one-quarter of the world’s human population is infected with TB, mostly in less-developed countries.
