Tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria can attack any part of the body, but usually attack the lungs. People who are infected with TB do not always feel sick. (DHS)

Signs and symptoms of active TB disease in the lungs include:

• A bad cough, lasting three weeks or longer
• Pain in the chest
• Coughing up blood or phlegm from deep inside the lungs (sputum)
• Weakness or fatigue
• Weight loss
• No appetite
• Fever, chills, sweating at night

People with latent TB infection do not have any symptoms and cannot spread TB. If they do not get treatment, however, they may develop active TB disease in the future, spread the disease to others, and feel quite ill.

People with active TB disease can be treated and cured if they get medical help. People who have latent TB infection, but are not yet sick, can take medicine so they will not develop active TB disease.