Tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body such as the kidneys, spine, and brain.

TB is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms of TB may include coughing for more than two weeks, chest pain, fatigue, fever, and night sweats. TB can be latent, meaning the bacteria are in the body but not causing symptoms, or active, meaning the bacteria are causing symptoms and can be spread to others.

TB can be treated with a combination of medications, typically taken for several months. It is important to complete the full course of treatment to avoid the development of drug-resistant TB. TB can be prevented through vaccination, early detection, and treatment of active cases, and infection control measures such as proper ventilation and wearing masks.