Tuberculosis: Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a communicable disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. The bacterium usually attacks the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can attack almost any part of the body (extra-pulmonary TB) such as bones, joints, nervous system, and urinary track. TB was once known as the “White-plaque” and historically was the leading cause of death in the United States.

How does TB Spread?

TB is spread through the air when an affected person coughs, sings, laughs, yawns, sneezes or even talks. If another person inhales the bacterium, one of two outcomes is probable:

1. You will become infected with latent TB but will not feel sick because your body’s defenses are currently preventing you from becoming sick.
2. You will become sick with TB disease.

People most at risk of catching TB disease are those who (on a regular basis) spend time with someone who has active TB disease.

You cannot catch TB by sharing food, utensils, clothing or other items.

What is the difference between being infected with TB and having TB disease?

TB Infection (Latent TB) means that the bacteria are inside your body but they are not active. Typically, these people have strong immune systems and consequently, never have TB symptoms nor develop the disease. What's more, they do not pass the disease on to other people. People with TB infection usually have positive skin test reactions and can develop the active disease at any point if they do not receive preventative therapy.

TB Disease (Active TB) means that the bacteria are actively multiplying in your body and your immune system is immobilized to the disease. People with TB disease have symptoms and can pass the disease on to others. Consequently, TB disease must be treated, cured and of course prevented, when possible, as it can be fatal.

What are the symptoms of TB?

Symptoms of TB depend on where in the body the bacteria are growing. Common symptoms include but are not limited to: a prolonged cough, coughing up blood or sputum, fever, night sweats, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite and fatigue.

What happens if I am diagnosed with TB?

If a test determines that you have TB infection, you’ll be prescribed medication to prevent the bacterium from becoming active.

If a test determines that you have TB disease, your doctor may ask you to stay in the hospital or at home for the first 2-4 weeks of your drug treatment, just to make sure you are not able to spread it to anyone else. After this time, your life will pretty much return to normal, except that you will have to continue taking medication each day for 6-9 months.

Either way, you must be sure to follow all of your health care provider’s instructions and take all of your medications. When drugs are not used properly, you can develop a form of TB called Multiple-Drug Resistant TB (MRD TB).

Who is most likely to contact TB?

TB is easily spread among people who live in poorly ventilated, crowded housing, have poor health and have the least access to medical care. Such as people living in nursing homes, hospitals, shelters and prisons. There are people from all walks of life who are at risk because their immune systems have become suppressed as a result of HIV/AIDS, drug or alcohol addiction, or other conditions such as diabetes. Immigrants from countries where TB is common are more likely to contract the disease as well. Accordingly, you should be alert and take appropriate precautions when traveling to such high-risk countries.

What is Multiple-Drug Resistance TB (MDR TB)?

If TB patients fail to take their medications as directed, the TB bacteria in their body may become drug-resistant. Once bacteria have become resistant to a certain medication, it will no longer work to kill them. This means the person will continue to be sick and spread the TB bacteria. If you keep treating these resistant bacteria with the same medicationss after they become resistant, they will keep growing. But, if you use another medication to which they are not resistant, then they can be killed. For this reason, TB is treated with more than one type of medication at a time.

What is Directly Observed Therapy (DOT)?

DOT is a strategy that helps to ensure patients take their medication properly and to thereby help prevent MDR TB from developing. The key component of this strategy is that someone, usually a health care worker visits the patient every day to help them take their medication properly.

How are people tested for TB?

The most common TB test is called the Mantoux Skin Test. During this test a liquid is injected just under the skin on your arm. Two to three days later a health care provider will examine your arm to see if a bump has developed, and if so they will measure the size of the bump. The significance of the bump is determined in conjunction with the risk factors for the disease. If the health care professional has determined that the patient has TB infection he or she will need to determine whether or not the patient has the disease. Several other tests are then performed, including a chest X-ray and a sputum (mucus) test.

What is the prevalence of TB in Los Angeles County?

2005 statistics reveal 906 residents of Los Angeles County were reported to have active TB. Thus, the largest number of active cases among all local health jurisdictions in California. Furthermore, California continues to report the highest number and the second highest rate of TB in the nation, despite immense progress.