Tuberculosis is a disease that can seriously harm a person's lungs or other important organs.
You can catch TB by coming in contact with a person who has the TB germ in their lungs or throat. They send the germs to the other person by coughing, sneezing or speaking. People who have a day-to-day contact with an infected person are most likely to catch the germs. You cannot get TB from a cough or sneeze by person in the subway or the restaurant.
What is the difference between TB germ and TB disease? .
If you have a TB infection your body has the TB germ but they are not active. Body defenses build a wall around the germ like a scab over a cut. TB germs can stay alive years after years without becoming active. An inactive germ cannot do any damage or cannot be spread to other people. Having the germs does not mean the person is sick they are only infected.
TB disease is when the germ becomes active. If your body defense is weak you are more likely to get the disease right after the germ enters your body. Inactive germs can become active due to your body defenses becoming weak. People with the TB disease must take their medication because they may become seriously ill or die.
Could I have TB?.
To know if you have active TB germs you could have some or all of the following symptoms:.
A cough that hangs on.
Fevers.
Weight loss.
Night sweats.
Constant tiredness.
Loss of appetite.
If you have advanced TB you may cough up blood-streaked phlegm.
What are some tests I can do to make sure I don't have the TB disease?.
1-Tuberculin Mantaoux PPD skin test.
-Shows if you're infected.
2-Chest X-ray.
-Is done if skin test is positive.
3-Sputum (phlegm) Test.
-Tells is germs are in the thick liquid you cough up.
How do I know if I should get tested?.
You have TB symptoms.
You have a day-to-day contact with a person who has active TB disease.
You have HIV, lowered immunity or medical conditions.
You are required to for school or employment.