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
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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 ...