Tuberculosis

Learn about Tuberculosis and find information on symptoms, testing, and more.

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Tuberculosis or "TB" is an infection caused by bacteria. TB most often affects the lungs, but it can affect any organ in the human body. TB can be prevented, treated, and in most cases, cured. Finishing your treatment is the best way to protect yourself, your family, and your community.

TB can be inactive (latent) or active:

Inactive TB: The TB bacteria are in your body but are "asleep." You do not feel sick and cannot spread TB to others. Without treatment, inactive TB can become active. Inactive TB can be treated with medicine to reduce the risk of getting sick in the future.
Active TB: The TB bacteria are growing and making you very sick. If TB is in your lungs, you can spread it to others. Active TB can be cured with medicine.

To learn more about TB, visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website.

Questions? Contact us:
info@bphc.org
617-534-5395
1010 Massachusetts Ave.

2nd Floor

Boston, MA 02118

How to Prevent TB

TB spreads through the air when a person with active TB in their lungs coughs, sneezes, sings, or speaks. These activities release TB germs into the air. If another person breathes in those germs, they can become infected with TB. To help prevent TB:

Get tested if you have been around someone with TB, or have symptoms like a persistent cough, unexpected weight loss, fevers, or sweating at night.
Take your medicine exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider for inactive or active TB. Alert your provider if you are having side effects or having trouble refilling your prescription.
Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow when you cough or sneeze.
Wear a mask if you feel sick or if your healthcare provider recommends it.

Testing

Get tested if you have symptoms or been in contact with someone with TB symptoms.
Everyone can be tested for TB, even if you received the TB vaccine (BCG) as a child or in the past.
A skin test or blood test can show whether the TB bacteria are in your body. If your skin or blood test is positive, you may need additional tests such as a chest x-ray or sputum test.

Treatment

You can take medication to cure TB. Even if you feel better after you begin taking medication, do not stop taking the pills until directed by your doctor or nurse. If you stop taking the medication too soon, the TB bacteria can come back and be very hard to treat. Treatment for inactive TB consists of one or two medications for 3-9 months. Treatment for active TB consists of 4 or more medications for 6-12 months, and sometimes longer. Getting preventative treatment for inactive TB can save you many months of treatment and many pills by preventing active TB.

Symptoms

People with inactive TB do not have symptoms and do not feel sick, even though the TB bacteria are in their body. They cannot spread TB to others. Without treatment, inactive TB can become active TB.

People with active TB may develop symptoms that can include:

Fevers
Chills
Night sweats
Coughing for more than 3 weeks
Coughing up blood or phlegm
Losing weight unintentionally
Feeling tired

If TB affects parts of the body other than the lungs, symptoms will depend on the area involved. For example, TB can affect the lymph nodes, kidneys, spine, or brain.

If you have symptoms of TB or have been in close contact with someone with active TB, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Early testing and treatment can help prevent serious illness and reduce the spread of TB.