Tuberculosis

• Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria. 
• Tuberculosis can be diagnosed after a blood test or a skin test
• Treatment for tuberculosis is essential to stop the progression of the condition. Without treatment, active tuberculosis is often fatal. 

Tuberculosis is a common infectious disease caused by bacteria. Although this condition occurs more frequently in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, people worldwide can get infected. Recognizing the signs of tuberculosis and getting diagnosed early on is important to prevent the progression of the condition. This guide by Ada’s medical team provides more information on tuberculosis, its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. 

Tuberculosis, often abbreviated as TB, is a contagious condition that primarily affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body, such as the nervous system, the kidneys, the bones, and the lymph nodes. Tuberculosis occurs frequently and can be found in every part of the world, with an estimated 13 million people in the US having inactive tuberculosis. 1

The symptoms of tuberculosis are only present in people who have active tuberculosis. If you have inactive tuberculosis, then you won’t experience any tuberculosis symptoms, although they can develop at a later stage if you do not seek any treatment. Some common signs of tuberculosis are: 1 2

• A persistent cough 
• Coughing up blood or phlegm
• Chest pain
• Feeling weak
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Chills

Tuberculosis is caused by a bacteria. The bacteria causing the illness is called Mycobacterium tuberculosis in most cases, although the disease can also be caused by a different kind of bacteria called Mycobacterium bovis. 1

Tuberculosis is contagious, as the bacteria can be spread from one person to another when an infected person coughs, speaks, sings, or sneezes. Not everyone who gets infected with tuberculosis actually gets sick. This is why there’s an essential distinction between inactive tuberculosis (also called latent tuberculosis) and active tuberculosis. People with inactive tuberculosis do not show any signs and symptoms of tuberculosis and cannot spread the disease to others. However, people with active tuberculosis experience tuberculosis symptoms and are contagious. 3

Anyone is at risk of an infection with tuberculosis, although there are some situations in which you have a higher risk of getting infected: 1

• Frequently visiting countries where tuberculosis is more common, such as Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
• Living in close proximity to others who have tuberculosis, for example, in homeless shelters, prisons, hospitals, and nursing homes.
• Spending time with someone who has active tuberculosis
• Having a weakened immune system due to HIV, diabetes, cancer, or certain medications. 

The risk of progressing from inactive tuberculosis to active tuberculosis also depends on certain factors. You are at a higher risk if you: 3

• Have underlying health issues such as chronic lung diseases, diabetes, and renal disease, or any immunosuppressive condition
• Smoke, drink alcohol, or substance use
• Have severe malnutrition

Read also our article about disseminated tuberculosis here >>

If you think that you may be at risk for tuberculosis, then it’s a good idea to get a tuberculosis test. Your healthcare provider can help you with this. 2 different types of screening tests can detect tuberculosis infections. It could be a TB blood test or a TB skin test. 1 3

The TB blood test is also known as an interferon-gamma release assay. For this test, your healthcare provider will draw blood and test it to see if there are any substances in it that indicate an immune system reaction to the presence of tuberculosis bacteria. 

A TB skin test, called the Mantoux test, can detect tuberculosis by injecting some liquid underneath the surface of your skin. If tuberculosis is present in your body, you’ll notice a reaction within a few days. 1 4

If you’ve ever received a tuberculosis vaccine, you’ll be recommended the TB blood test, as the vaccine may interfere with the skin test. In case one of these two tests comes back positive, you’ll have to undergo more testing to determine whether you have an active or inactive case of tuberculosis. These tests can include a chest x-ray and a phlegm test. 1

Tuberculosis treatment is crucial for yourself and those surrounding you, as tuberculosis is an infectious condition. Both people with active and inactive tuberculosis require treatment, even if there aren’t any tuberculosis symptoms present. In order to exterminate all the tuberculosis bacteria, it’s important to follow the instructions of your healthcare provider closely and to finish all of your tuberculosis medication. 5

If you have inactive tuberculosis, there’s a 5-10% chance that you’ll develop active tuberculosis at some point in your life. Tuberculosis treatment can help prevent the development of active TB, and active tuberculosis can also be treated with medication. Your doctor may prescribe you with a combination of the following drugs depending on the suitability of your case: 3

• Isoniazid
• Rifampin
• Rifapentine
• Ethambutol
• Moxifloxacin
• Pyrazinamide

A tuberculosis vaccine exists, although it isn't generally administered in the United States. It aims to prevent severe forms of active tuberculosis in children and is often used in countries where the disease is more common. Infection control plans are crucial to minimize the risk of exposure and can help prevent the spread of tuberculosis. 1

Tuberculosis is a serious condition caused by bacteria. These bacteria can spread through the air from an infected person to others. The condition can be active or inactive. Active tuberculosis causes symptoms and is contagious, whereas inactive tuberculosis is not contagious and doesn't cause any symptoms. Both forms of tuberculosis require treatment to prevent the progression of the disease. Without treatment, active tuberculosis is often fatal. 

Q: How do you get tuberculosis? 
A: You can get tuberculosis by coming into contact with an infected person. The disease spreads through little droplets in the air which can be released once an infected person talks, sneezes, coughs, or sings.

Q: What is the first sign of tuberculosis? 
A: The first signs of tuberculosis are persistent coughing, fever, unexplained weight loss, a general feeling of being unwell, and coughing up blood or phlegm. 

Q: What does tuberculosis look like? 
A: People with active tuberculosis may experience a cough and may cough up blood or phlegm. Other common symptoms are weakness, fatigue, fever, chest pain, and weight loss. People with inactive tuberculosis do not experience any symptoms. 

Q: Is tuberculosis contagious? 
A: Tuberculosis is a contagious condition that spreads through the air. Only people with active tuberculosis can spread the bacteria that cause the condition. 

Q: Is there a cure for tuberculosis? 
A: Tuberculosis can be cured using a combination of antibiotics for a longer period of time. Treatment usually takes 4 - 9 months and is needed to stop the progression of the disease. Without treatment, tuberculosis is often fatal. 

Q: Is tuberculosis fatal? 
A: Tuberculosis is often fatal if the disease isn’t treated properly. With treatment, however, the fatality rates of tuberculosis decrease significantly.