Minus Related Pages. How TB Spreads. TB Risk Factors. TB Terms. Exposure to TB. TB Prevention. TB and Diabetes. If you have been exposed, you should go to your doctor for tests. You are more likely to get TB if you have a weak immune system. Skin tests, blood tests, x-rays, and other tests can tell if you have TB. If not treated properly, TB can be deadly. You can usually cure active TB by taking several medicines for a long period of time.
The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Tuberculosis Also called: TB. Learn More Related Issues Specifics. Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria that spread from person to person through microscopic droplets released into the air.
This can happen when someone with the untreated, active form of tuberculosis coughs, speaks, sneezes, spits, laughs or sings. Although tuberculosis is contagious, it's not easy to catch. You're much more likely to get tuberculosis from someone you live or work with than from a stranger. Most people with active TB who've had appropriate drug treatment for at least two weeks are no longer contagious. HIV suppresses the immune system, making it difficult for the body to control TB bacteria.
Tuberculosis also remains a major killer because of the increase in drug-resistant strains. Over time, some TB germs have developed the ability to survive despite medications. This is partly because people don't take their drugs as directed or don't complete the course of treatment. Drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis emerge when an antibiotic fails to kill all of the bacteria it targets.
The surviving bacteria become resistant to that drug and often other antibiotics as well. Some TB bacteria have developed resistance to the most commonly used treatments, such as isoniazid and rifampin Rifadin, Rimactane.
Some TB strains have also developed resistance to drugs less commonly used in TB treatment, such as the antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones, and injectable medications including amikacin and capreomycin Capastat.
These medications are often used to treat infections that are resistant to the more commonly used drugs. A healthy immune system often successfully fights TB bacteria.
However, several conditions and medications can weaken your immune system, including:. Your risk of getting tuberculosis is higher if you live in, emigrate from or travel to areas with high tuberculosis rates. Areas include:. Without treatment, tuberculosis can be fatal. Untreated active disease typically affects your lungs, but it can affect other parts of your body, as well.
If you test positive for latent TB infection, your doctor might advise you to take medications to reduce your risk of developing active tuberculosis. Only active TB is contagious.
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