Understanding Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body. Learn more about TB, its transmission, and who is at risk.
What is Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease spread through the air when a person with TB in their lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, or talks. It is important to differentiate between latent TB (where a person is infected but not sick) and active TB (where a person is sick and contagious). TB can be treated, but drug-resistant forms of TB pose a challenge.
How is TB Transmitted?
TB is spread through the air by people with active TB in their lungs or throat. It usually requires close, prolonged contact for transmission. TB is not spread through casual contact like shaking hands or sharing food. Myths about TB transmission are common, and education is key to TB prevention.
Who is at Risk for TB?
People at high risk for TB include close contacts of those with TB, healthcare workers, residents of high-risk settings (prisons, shelters), and people with weakened immune systems. People with latent TB are not sick but may develop active TB if their immune system weakens.
Signs & Symptoms of TB
TB usually affects the lungs, causing symptoms like a persistent cough, chest pain, and coughing up blood. Other symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. People with latent TB do not have symptoms and cannot spread the disease.
Testing for TB
TB tests include skin tests and blood tests. A positive result means the person has been infected, but further tests are needed to determine if they have active TB disease. Testing is important for those at high risk, including healthcare workers and people from countries where TB is common.
TB Preventive Therapy: 3HP
3HP is a short-course therapy regimen using isoniazid and rifapentine for 12 weeks. It is effective for people living with HIV and those in close contact with TB patients. The shorter regimen improves treatment completion rates and has fewer side effects compared to traditional therapies.