Diseases

Tuberculosis

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Tuberculosis (tb) is a potentially serious infectious disease that mainly affects your lungs. The bacteria that cause tuberculosis are spread from one person to another through tiny droplets released into the air via coughs and sneezes.

SYMPTOMS

Most people infected with the bacteria that cause tuberculosis don't have symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they usually include a cough (sometimes blood-tinged), weight loss, night sweats and fever.

CAUSES

Tuberculosis (tb) is caused by a type of bacterium called mycobacterium tuberculosis. It's spread when a person with active tb disease in their lungs coughs or sneezes and someone else inhales the expelled droplets, which contain tb bacteria.