Tuberculosis Control Branch

Let's Talk TB!

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by bacteria.

When a person who is sick with TB disease in the lungs (pulmonary TB) coughs, sneezes, speaks or sings they send TB germs into the air. If others breathe in the TB germs in the air, they can become infected with TB and may get sick.

TB disease has serious symptoms, and can include coughing that lasts for three weeks or longer, weight loss, fever, night sweats and tiredness.

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these flu-like symptoms, make sure to speak to your doctor as soon as possible.

TB can be cured with medication.

You can read more about TB on the CDC Questions and Answers about TB webpage.

Latent Tuberculosis Infection

Latent tuberculosis (TB) infection is a "hidden" infection caused by exposure to TB germs.

If you breathe in TB germs, your body may fight off the germs or the germs may hide in your body for a long time before making you sick. This is called TB infection or latent TB infection.

These hidden germs cannot spread from person to person, but can become infectious overtime unless it is treated with medication, which can prevent TB germs from growing and making you sick.

Latent TB infection can be treated with medication so you do not get TB disease!

You can read more about Latent TB on the CDC Latent TB Infection and TB Disease webpage.

Not sure about the difference between latent TB infection and TB disease?

The difference between latent TB infection and TB disease could be confusing. Take a look at the graphic that shows the difference between the two.

BUT, I HAVE HAD THE “TB VACCINE” (BCG)...

The “TB vaccine” (BCG) does not provide long-term protection against TB. You can still become infected with TB even if you received the BCG vaccine.

If you need to get a TB test, but have the BCG vaccine, the TB blood test is the correct test to get and not the TB skin test.

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