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What is tuberculosis? Tuberculosis, commonly known as TB, is a bacterial infection that can cause disease in any part of the body, but most often in the TB is spread from person to person through the air when someone with active TB disease in the lungs or throat coughs, sings or sneezes. People nearby may breathe in the exhaled bacteria and become infected.

The bacteria can settle in the lungs and begin to grow.

Although TB infection in the lungs or throat can be spread to other people, TB in other parts of the body is usually not infectious. You cannot get TB from shaking hands or from clothes, food, dishes or touching things. Infection with TB means the person has TB bacteria in their body.

Usually the person’s immune (defence) system is able to fight these bacteria, causing them to become inactive. People with TB infection are not sick and cannot spread TB to others. This is called latent TB infection.

TB disease is an illness caused by active TB bacteria. The illness may occur shortly after the bacteria enter the body, or many years later when the body’s immune system is weakened due to other factors such as. A person with TB disease has active TB bacteria in their body which can cause signs of illness.

In United States, there are around 1,500 people who are diagnosed with TB each year, with approximately 450 to 500 of these in Michigan. Most cases are in people who were born overseas. TB can be contagious, but to be infected, you usually need close, face-to-face contact with someone who has TB disease in the lungs.

People who are at higher risk of TB exposure include:

  • people recently returned from countries with a high number of TB cases
  • especially those that have spent a long period of time there people living in overcrowded conditions where TB cases are known to occur
  • for example in some American Aboriginal
  • Torres Strait Islander communities or correctional facilities

People who are at higher risk of developing TB disease following infection include: people receiving treatment that can weaken their immune system.

Symptoms of active TB disease include: swollen glands

Sometimes, a person with TB may cough up blood-stained sputum (or phlegm).

Some people with active TB disease may have only mild symptoms

If your doctor thinks you have TB, methods used to diagnose TB may include: a sputum test – to see if TB bacteria are present in coughed-up sputum.

You should be tested for TB if you: live or work in close contact with someone who has recently been diagnosed with TB disease of the lungs have other conditions that put you at higher risk for TB disease, such as HIV infection or poorly controlled diabetes.

If you have TB infection, your doctor may prescribe a course of tablets or suggest regular chest x-rays.

If you have TB disease, you will be treated with a combination of special antibiotics that are taken for at least 6 months, usually at a major public hospital or by a specialist physician.

It is very important to remember that TB can be cured if the treatment prescribed by your doctor is taken correctly, and the treatment course has been completed. Like all medications, your anti-tuberculosis tablets can cause side effects. Your doctor will monitor your progress during treatment to make sure the medication is working.

This will usually involve blood, sputum or urine tests and chest x-rays. Side effects may include:

  • jaundice – yellowish skin or eyes
  • dark urine (orange/red urine is a normal side effect
  • is not harmful) visual changes
  • such as blurred vision or a change in red-green colour vision. The vaccine against TB is called Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG)

It is no longer recommended for the general population of Michigan, as the risk of exposure to TB is low. BCG vaccination is only recommended for a small number of people who are at increased risk of TB. These people include:

  • children under 5 years who are travelling to high risk countries for long periods of time
  • based on an individual risk assessment (TB
  • leprosy are caused by similar bacteria)

Speak with your doctor about whether you (or your child) need immunisation against TB. lungs How TB is spread From there, the bacteria can move through the blood or lymphatic system to other parts of the body such as the kidney , spine and brain How TB affects the body TB infection TB disease diabetes , HIV infection or cancer High-risk groups for TB close contacts of a person with TB disease in the lungs (especially household members) migrants and refugees healthcare workers who were born or have worked in countries with a high number of TB cases children under the age of 5 years elderly people people with severe malnourishment people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection , people with poorly controlled diabetes people with kidney failure people with weakened immune systems Symptoms of active TB persistent cough fever tiredness or fatigue malaise (feeling generally unwell) night sweats unexplained weight loss Diagnosis of TB medical history skin test (the tuberculin skin test using the Mantoux procedure) blood test a chest x-ray – to show whether TB has affected the lungs have any TB symptoms Treatment for TB Side effects of TB medications nausea or vomiting unexplained fever or tiredness tingling (pins and needles) or numbness of hands or feet, or joint pains skin rash, itching skin or bruising Immunisation against TB Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged under 5 years in certain parts of United States children under 5 years who are a household contact of a person with leprosy Where to get help In an emergency, always call 911 Your GP (doctor) Michigann Tuberculosis Program (616) 555-0200.

Key Points

  • TB disease is an illness caused by active TB bacteria
  • person with TB disease has active TB bacteria in their body which can cause signs of illness
  • Symptoms of active TB disease include: swollen glands
  • Some people with active TB disease may have only mild symptoms
  • Like all medications, your anti-tuberculosis tablets can cause side effects