Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is transmitted via airborne particles exhaled by individuals with active TB infection in their lungs or throat. Latent TB occurs when the bacteria are alive but inactive, and the individual does not feel sick and cannot spread TB. Around 5-10% of latent cases will progress to active TB, where the bacteria become active, overwhelm the immune system, and cause symptoms like cough, fever, and fatigue. Active TB requires antibiotic treatment to prevent complications and transmission.
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is transmitted via airborne particles exhaled by individuals with active TB infection in their lungs or throat. Latent TB occurs when the bacteria are alive but inactive, and the individual does not feel sick and cannot spread TB. Around 5-10% of latent cases will progress to active TB, where the bacteria become active, overwhelm the immune system, and cause symptoms like cough, fever, and fatigue. Active TB requires antibiotic treatment to prevent complications and transmission.
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is transmitted via airborne particles exhaled by individuals with active TB infection in their lungs or throat. Latent TB occurs when the bacteria are alive but inactive, and the individual does not feel sick and cannot spread TB. Around 5-10% of latent cases will progress to active TB, where the bacteria become active, overwhelm the immune system, and cause symptoms like cough, fever, and fatigue. Active TB requires antibiotic treatment to prevent complications and transmission.
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is transmitted via airborne particles exhaled by individuals with active TB infection in their lungs or throat. Latent TB occurs when the bacteria are alive but inactive, and the individual does not feel sick and cannot spread TB. Around 5-10% of latent cases will progress to active TB, where the bacteria become active, overwhelm the immune system, and cause symptoms like cough, fever, and fatigue. Active TB requires antibiotic treatment to prevent complications and transmission.
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
It is transmitted from one person to another via airborne bacterial particles, which are exhaled by individuals who have active TB infection in their lungs or throat.
Latent TB vs Active TB
Night sweats, fever,
Asymptomatic chills, and fatigue Symptomatic Individual does not Respiratory: TB bacteria are active. feel sick. Cough 3 weeks or They overwhelm the longer, chest pain, hemoptysis immune system and TB bacteria are multiply. alive, but inactive. Infectious when active Cannot spread TB in lungs and airways
5%–10% of cases will Moves from lungs via
progress to active TB. bloodstream to other areas such as kidneys, spine Treatment should be and brain offered. If declined, GI: follow with annual Antibiotic treatment is Loss of symptom assessment appetite, necessary to prevent and periodic chest unexplained complications and X-ray. weight loss transmission to others.
TB Screening CLINICAL TIP Diagnosis
When assessing If positive skin or
PPD skin test Positive screening indicated skin test, measure blood test: exposure to Mycobacterium only the area of tuberculi: does not indicate • Review exposure risk. induration if latent, active, or previous (not redness). • Assess for symptoms. BCG vaccine (skin test only). Physical exam and further Risk factors are • Chest X-ray (may IGRA blood test testing is required. also considered show lesions or in determining cavitation) positive skin • Sputum analysis test.