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Tuberculosis (TB)

Also called: TB, latent TB, active TB, consumption

A bacterial infection that usually affects the lungs and spreads through the air. Many people carry TB germs without being sick (latent TB). TB disease causes a long-lasting cough and needs months of medicine, but it can be cured.

TypeA bacterial infection
Spreads byThe air, from people with TB disease in the lungs
Main signA cough lasting 3 weeks or more
TestsSkin or blood test, chest X-ray, mucus test
CureYes, with several months of medicine

Overview

TB is caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. When someone with TB disease in the lungs coughs, the germs go into the air and others can breathe them in.

Most people who breathe in TB germs fight them off or keep them asleep. This is latent TB infection: no symptoms and you can't spread it. Without treatment, some people later get TB disease, especially if their immune system gets weak. Treating latent TB prevents this.

Symptoms

Latent TB has no symptoms. TB disease in the lungs causes:

  • A cough lasting more than 3 weeks
  • Coughing up mucus or blood
  • Fever
  • Night sweats

Less common

  • Losing weight without trying
  • Feeling tired
  • Chest pain
  • Poor appetite
  • Swollen glands or back pain when TB is outside the lungs

When to get medical care

Call 911Coughing up a lot of blood, or severe trouble breathing.
Get care todayCoughing up blood, or a cough with fever and night sweats after contact with someone with TB.
See a doctor soonA cough lasting more than 3 weeks, unexplained weight loss, or you were near someone with TB.

Causes

TB is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria that spread through the air. It does not spread through touching, sharing food, or kissing.

Does it spread or run in families?

  • Yes, it can spread from person to person.
  • How it spreads: the air, unpasteurized milk, or close contact with infected cattle.
  • Washing hands often and staying home when sick help protect others.

Who is more likely to get it

  • Close contact with someone with TB disease
  • HIV or a weak immune system
  • Living in or coming from a country where TB is common
  • Diabetes, smoking, or heavy drinking
  • Living or working in shelters, jails, or nursing homes

Possible complications

Diagnosis

Tests show whether you have TB germs, and whether you're sick with TB disease.

Questions you may be asked

  • How long you've had a cough
  • Contact with someone with TB
  • Travel or living in places where TB is common
  • HIV or other conditions that weaken the immune system

The exam

They'll listen to your lungs and check your weight.

Tests

Common tests:

  • TB skin test or TB blood test: Shows whether you've been infected. It can't tell latent TB from TB disease.
  • Chest X-ray: Looks for TB in the lungs.
  • Sputum (mucus) tests: Look for TB germs and check which medicines will work.

Treatment

Both latent TB and TB disease are treated with medicine.

Self-care

  • Take every dose for the full time, even when you feel better
  • Stay home from work or school until your doctor says you can't spread it
  • Cover coughs and keep rooms well aired
  • Avoid alcohol, which can add to liver strain from TB medicines

Medicines

TB needs a mix of antibiotics. A health worker may watch you take them (directly observed therapy).

MedicineHelps withGood to know
First-line TB medicines
TB diseaseCan affect the liver. Report yellow skin, dark urine, nausea, or belly pain. Rifampin turns urine orange.
Latent TB treatment
Preventing TB disease

OwieClear doesn't give doses: follow the label or your healthcare professional. Medicine names here are examples, not a full list.

TB disease is usually treated with several antibiotics for 4 to 6 months or more. Latent TB is treated with shorter courses, often 3 to 4 months. Stopping early can lead to drug-resistant TB.

Prevention

To prevent TB:

  • Treat latent TB if you have it
  • Finish all TB medicine
  • Get tested if you're at higher risk
  • People with TB disease should stay home until they can't spread it

Which doctor treats this

  • Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
  • They may send you to a pulmonologist (lung doctor).

Back to school, work, or sports

  • Stay home until your doctor says you're no longer contagious, often after a few weeks of treatment.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

  • Children under 5 and people with HIV: Are more likely to get very sick. They need fast testing after contact.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

  • If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
  • Some infections can pass to the baby during pregnancy or birth. Tell your provider if you've been exposed.
  • Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
  • Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
  • Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

TB disease can be cured when the medicines are taken correctly. Treating latent TB greatly lowers the chance of ever getting sick.

Getting ready for your visit

Tell your care team about contacts and travel.

What to bring

  • Names of people you live or work closely with
  • Places you've lived or traveled

Questions to ask

  • Do I have latent TB or TB disease?
  • Can I spread it, and for how long?
  • How long will treatment take?
  • Do my family members need testing?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Tuberculosis (TB)

Sources

Last updated 2026-11-12.