Tuberculosis
Also called: TB and consumption
A potentially serious infectious bacterial disease that mainly affects the lungs.
- Partly preventable by vaccine
- Treatable by a medical professional
- Spreads by airborne droplets
- Requires a medical diagnosis
- Lab tests or imaging always required
- Medium-term: resolves within months
The bacteria that cause TB are spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Rare: Fewer than 200,000 US cases per year
Consult a doctor for medical advice
Sources: Mayo Clinic and others. Learn more
People also ask
Can tuberculosis be cured?
What happens if you have tuberculosis?
How long can someone live with tuberculosis?
Is TB life threatening?
Mar 22, 2023 · Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious illness that mainly affects the lungs. The germs that cause tuberculosis are a type of bacteria.
Jul 27, 2023 · Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection that usually attacks your lungs. It can also spread to other parts of your body, like your brain ...
Skin test. A tiny amount of a substance called tuberculin is injected just below the skin on the inside of one forearm. Within 48 to 72 hours, a health care ...