Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which primarily affects the lungs but can develop in any part of the body. There are two forms of TB: active TB disease and TB infection (formerly known as latent TB infection). Active disease means that the bacteria are growing, causing symptoms, and can be transmitted to others (if located in the lungs), while TB infection (TBI) means that the TB bacteria are in the body but inactive. TBI cases can become active if the TB bacteria “wake up.” TB is most often found in the lungs and this type is known as pulmonary TB; however, the disease can affect any part of the body. Non-pulmonary TB is known as extra-pulmonary. Common symptoms of TB include but are not limited to a persistent cough and coughing up phlegm, chest pain, tiredness/weakness, lack of appetite and unintentional weight loss, fever, and/or night sweats. While TB is curable, if left untreated the disease can be fatal.
