Although your body can harbor the bacteria that cause tuberculosis, your immune system usually can prevent you from becoming sick. For this reason, doctors make a distinction between:
- Latent TB. You have a TB infection, but the bacteria in your body are inactive and cause no symptoms. Latent TB, also called inactive TB or TB infection, isn't contagious. Latent TB can turn into active TB, so treatment is important.
- Active TB. Also called TB disease, this condition makes you sick and, in most cases, can spread to others. It can occur weeks or years after infection with the TB bacteria.
Signs and symptoms of active TB include:
- Coughing for two or more weeks
- Coughing up blood or mucus
- Chest pain, or pain with breathing or coughing
- Unintentional weight loss
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Chills
- Loss of appetite
The people who have an increased risk of tuberculosis be screened for latent TB infection. This recommendation includes people who:
- Have HIV/AIDS
- Use IV drugs
- Are in contact with infected people
- Are from a country where TB is common, such as several countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia
- Live or work in areas where TB is common, such as prisons or nursing homes
- Work in health care and treat people with a high risk of TB
- Are children who are exposed to adults at risk of TB
Drug-resistant TB
Tuberculosis also remains a major killer because of the increase in drug-resistant strains. Over time, some TB germs have developed the ability to survive despite medications. This is partly because people don't take their drugs as directed or don't complete the course of treatment.
Several conditions and medications can weaken your immune system, including:
- HIV/AIDS
- Diabetes
- Severe kidney disease
- Certain cancers
- Cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy
- Drugs to prevent rejection of transplanted organs
- Some drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and psoriasis
- Malnutrition or low body weight
- Very young or advanced age
- Using substances - IV drugs or excessive alcohol use weakens your immune system and makes you more vulnerable to tuberculosis.
- Using tobacco - Tobacco use greatly increases the risk of getting TB and dying of it.
- Working in health care - Regular contact with people who are ill increases your chances of exposure to TB bacteria. Wearing a mask and frequent hand-washing greatly reduce your risk.
- Living or working in a residential care facility - People who live or work in prisons, homeless shelters, psychiatric hospitals or nursing homes are all at a higher risk of tuberculosis due to overcrowding and poor ventilation.
- Living with someone infected with TB - Close contact with someone who has TB increases your risk.
- Monteux test
- Chest X ray
- HRCT Thorax
- AFB Stain
- CBNAAT
- Culture
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