Tuberculosis is one of the most common diseases throughout the world. Tuberculosis, or TB, is a contagious bacterial disease. It passes through the air, attacking the lungs or other organs of infected people. Learn more about TB to help you keep from getting the disease.
Types
TB infection can be either latent or active. You will not notice symptoms with latent TB. With active TB, tuberculosis bacteria attacks parts of your body, making you feel sick and experience symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with tuberculosis, you may feel fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, chills and night sweats. You also may have a cough, chest pain or coughed up blood.
Causes
Tuberculosis is caused by a type of bacteria called, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The disease is spread from person to person through the air when the person with tuberculosis sneezes, coughs or speaks.
Significance
According to the National Institutes of Health, one-third of people in the world are infected with tuberculosis and it is a top killer of young adults.
Risk Factors
You are most at risk for tuberculosis if you have another illness which weakens your immune system, if you live or work with people who have tuberculosis, or if you have recently immigrated from an area of the world with high rates of tuberculosis.
Testing
If you have spent time with someone who has TB or you think you have symptoms, call you doctor for get a skin or blood TB test.
