Tuberculosis
Also called: TB and consumption
A potentially serious infectious bacterial disease that mainly affects the lungs.
- Partly preventable by vaccine
- Treatable by a medical professional
- Spreads by airborne droplets
- Requires a medical diagnosis
- Lab tests or imaging always required
- Medium-term: resolves within months
The bacteria that cause TB are spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Rare: Fewer than 200,000 US cases per year
Consult a doctor for medical advice
Sources: Mayo Clinic and others. Learn more
People also ask
Can tuberculosis be cured?
How serious is tuberculosis?
How long can a person survive with tuberculosis?
Do people still get tuberculosis?
Mar 22, 2023 · Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious illness that mainly affects the lungs. The germs that cause tuberculosis are a type of bacteria.
Jul 27, 2023 · Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection that usually attacks your lungs. It can also spread to other parts of your body, like your brain ...
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that usually attacks the lungs but can affect almost any part of the body. Though tuberculosis is spread from ...