Tuberculosis - TB

Rev. October 2017

Definition
TB is an infectious disease caused by TB germs. TB usually attacks the lungs and can affect any
part of the body. TB has been around for centuries.
Transmission
TB is spread from person to person through the air. TB is spread when someone sick with TB in
the lungs, coughs or sneezes. It is not highly contagious. Close, prolonged or regular contact with
someone who is sick with TB disease is needed to spread this disease.
Signs and Symptoms
TB infection:
Most people who breathe in TB germs are able to stop them from growing. Their immune system
traps the TB germs and keeps them inactive. This is called TB infection.
People with TB infection:
 Cannot spread TB germs to others
 Do not feel sick or have TB symptoms
 Have a positive skin test (people with weak immune systems may have a negative skin test
even though they are infected with TB - speak with your doctor or nurse)
 May develop active TB disease later in life
TB disease:
TB germs become active when the body's immune system cannot stop the germs from growing.
The active TB germs begin to grow and cause damage to the body. This is called TB disease. TB
disease of the lungs and throat can be spread to others.
People with TB disease can feel sick with:
 Fever / chills / night sweats
 Coughing (more than 3 weeks)
 Tiredness
 Loss of appetite / unexplained weight loss
If the TB disease is in another part of the body, the symptoms will depend on where the TB is
growing, for example swollen lymph node or joint pain.
Tests
Screening for TB infection is done by a skin test. A positive skin test means a person has the TB
germ in their body. A physical examination, chest x-ray and sputum (mucous coughed up from the
lungs) are done to check for TB disease.
Treatment
People with TB infection may benefit from medicine to prevent TB disease. The medicine will
keep the germ inactive and will stop the bacteria from growing in your body.
People with TB disease must take medicine to cure the disease. The doctor will decide how long
the person needs to take the medicine. All TB medicine is free.

TB is preventable, treatable and curable.

 Stop TB
TB is preventable, treatable and curable!
Tuberculosis (TB) is spread when a person who is sick with TB disease
coughs or sneezes the germs into the air. Anyone can get TB.

If you breathe in the TB germs, the germs go to your lungs.

Sometimes the germs go to other parts of your body.

TB Infection TB Disease
If your body is strong it can stop the TB germs from If your body is weak, it may not stop the TB germs
growing. from growing. Your body can be weak if you are sick
with another disease, under stress or just getting older.

The germs are in your body, but do not grow and do The germs keep growing and make you sick. This is
not make you sick. This is called TB infection. called TB disease. You can spread TB to others.
• You cannot spread TB to others. You can feel sick with:
• You will not feel sick. • Fever
• You can have a positive skin test. • Cough (more than 3 weeks)
• Your chest x-ray might look normal. • Feel tired
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Night sweats
• Chest pain

You can take medicine so that the germs in your body You must take medicine to treat the TB. Your doctor
do not grow and make you sick with TB disease. will decide how long you need to take the medicine.
TB medicine is free! TB medicine is free!

PH0903GB083 (English) (Rev. Oct. 2013)