Tuberculosis, commonly called TB, is an infectious disease that is caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. It is usually found in its chronic, latent form, and most individuals appear without symptoms. It is contagious, and is spread air borne by the infected individual. According to the World Health Organization, it is mostly common in the developing world, with new cases seen in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.
TB is no longer common in the United States. In fact, more than half the reported cases in the U.S. are in people from countries where it is common, according to the University of Michigan. Doctors can test whether someone is i...
The test consists of an injection just under the skin of the inside of the forearm of purified protein derivative, or PPD. The test must be read within 48 to 72 hours by a licensed health care provider. According to Lab Tests O...
A bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes this disease. Most of the time, the disease affects the lungs, but it can also affect the brain, heart, bones, urinary system, liver and lymph nodes. There are three main tes...
TB spreads easily through airborne droplets, and repeated exposure to an infected person generally causes an infection. Two kinds of tests help detect a TB infection--a blood test and a skin test. Individuals considered at a hi...
Tuberculosis is an infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The HIV/AIDS pandemic has fueled the resurgence of the disease and the widespread occurrence of drug resistance. The most common presentation is an infection of the lu...
A tuberculosis (TB) test is only administered to populations at high risk for exposure to the bacteria, according to Labtestsonline.org. These populations include those with weakened immune systems, like those with HIV or AIDS;...
