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Tuberculosis
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Lungs Breathing

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial disease that primarily attacks the lungs, though it can affect other parts of the body, and is treated with antibiotics.

What is Tuberculosis (TB)?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial disease that usually attacks the lungs but can also affect the kidneys, spine, and brain. There are two types of TB conditions:

  • Inactive (latent) TB infection: TB germs live in your body but do not make you sick.
  • TB disease (active TB): You get sick from the TB germs. This can almost always be cured with antibiotics, but it can be fatal if not treated properly.

Causes & Transmission

TB is caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The germs spread through the air when a person with TB disease in their throat or lungs coughs, sneezes, talks, or sings. You cannot get TB by touching, kissing, or sharing food or dishes. You are more likely to catch TB from people you live or work with than from casual contact.

Risk Factors

Anyone near a person with TB disease can become infected. You are at higher risk if you were born in or travel to countries where TB is common, are a health care worker, or live/work in places like shelters, jails, or nursing homes.

Certain factors increase the likelihood of developing active TB disease, including:

  • Having HIV
  • Recent TB infection (within the last 2 years)
  • Having diseases like diabetes that hinder the immune system
  • Alcohol use disorder (AUD) or injecting illegal drugs
  • Previous incorrect treatment for TB
  • Being under age 5 or an older adult
  • Taking medicines that weaken the immune system

Symptoms

People with inactive TB infection do not have symptoms and cannot spread the disease. If you have active TB disease, symptoms depend on where the bacteria are growing:

  • General symptoms: Chills, fever, night sweats, weight loss, loss of appetite, and weakness or fatigue.
  • Lung-specific symptoms: A cough lasting longer than 3 weeks, coughing up blood or sputum, and chest pain.

Diagnosis

Health care providers use a TB skin or blood test to detect germs. If positive, further testing is required to see if the germs are active, such as sputum tests, chest x-rays, or tests of urine and tissue samples.

Treatment

Treatment for both inactive and active TB involves antibiotics. It is critical to follow directions to prevent the germs from becoming antibiotic-resistant.

  • Inactive TB: Medications are taken for three to nine months to prevent future active disease.
  • Active TB: Medications are taken for four to nine months.
  • Lung/Throat TB: Patients must stay home for a few weeks to avoid spreading the disease. Protection measures include covering the nose and mouth, opening windows, and maintaining distance from others.
  • Drug-resistant TB: Requires special, long-term treatment that may last months or years and involves monitoring for side effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common test, the tuberculin skin test (TST), requires a 48–72 hour wait after the initial injection to read the reaction. The interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) is a blood test that can be processed in a single day, but you still need to schedule the draw and wait for the lab result, which usually takes 1–3 days. If you have a known exposure, your clinician may order a chest X‑ray immediately to look for active disease while the test results are pending.
Symptoms such as a persistent cough lasting more than three weeks, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, fever, or chest pain should prompt immediate medical evaluation. Even mild fatigue or a slight fever can be an early indicator, especially in people with risk factors like HIV or diabetes. A repeat chest X‑ray and sputum test are often used to confirm progression.
Yes, but you must be on a stable, effective regimen and have a recent negative sputum culture or a documented treatment response. Some countries require a medical certificate or proof of treatment completion. It is also wise to carry your medication and a copy of your prescription in case you need a refill or medical attention abroad.
Your clinician will monitor sputum cultures every 2–4 weeks during the first 2 months and then monthly until treatment ends. A negative culture indicates the bacteria are being cleared. You should also report any new symptoms, side effects, or changes in weight. Regular liver function tests are also performed because some TB drugs can affect the liver. If cultures remain positive or you develop side effects, your regimen may need adjustment.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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