What is Tuberculosis (TB)?
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by a germ called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys, or the spine.
Not everyone who breathes in the TB germs becomes sick. As a result, there are two forms of TB: latent TB and active TB.
People with latent TB infection have TB germs in their body, but they are not sick because the germs are not active. These people do not have symptoms of TB disease, and they cannot spread the germs to others. They may develop TB disease in the future. They are often prescribed medication that will help prevent them from developing active TB in the future.
People with active TB disease are sick from TB germs that are multiplying (active) in the body. Symptoms of TB disease in the lungs may include coughing, chest pain, fever, weight loss and night sweats. People with TB disease of the lungs or throat are capable of spreading their germs to others through coughing, sneezing, singing etc. People with active TB are prescribed with medication to treat the disease.
What are the symptoms of TB?
If the TB disease is in your lungs, you may:
- Cough a lot
- Cough up mucous
- Cough up blood
- Have chest pain when you cough
- Feel weak
- Lose your appetite
- Lose weight
- Have a fever
- Sweat a lot at night
If you have TB disease in another part of your body, the symptoms will be different and depend on the area affected.
How is TB spread?
TB is spread from person to person through the air. The TB germs are spread through the air when someone who is sick with active TB coughs, speaks, laughs, sings, or sneezes. Anyone near the sick person can breathe in the TB germs. This usually requires prolonged or repeated contact with the sick person.
How do I get tested for TB?
A TB skin test is a simple way to find out if you have latent TB. A small needle will be used to place a small amount of liquid, called tuberculin, just under the skin on your forearm.
You must return to your health care provider 2 days after the test was given to have your arm checked, even if your arm looks okay to you. If you have a reaction to the test, it will look like a raised bump. The nurse will measure the size of the reaction. If there is a bump, it will go away in a few weeks.
Learn more about TB skin testing.
How is TB treated?
Latent TB:
Medication may be prescribed to prevent you from getting sick with active TB. Read frequently asked questions about about Latent TB treatment:
| Why do I need to take medication? |
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You take medicine so that you do not get sick with Tuberculosis (TB) disease. Your doctor has found that:
This means that you may have TB germs in your body. |
| What medicine do I need to prevent TB? |
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The medicine is called INH (isoniazid). It is available as a pill or as a liquid (syrup). Usually a vitamin (B6) pill is also given. Sometimes another medicine (rifampin) is used instead of INH and B6. |
| What does the medicine do? |
| The medicine kills the germs before they start actively growing and making you sick. |
| How long do I take the medicine? |
| Usually you take the INH for 9 to 12 months. The TB germs are very strong and it takes many months to kill them with the medicine.
It is very important to take the medicine until your health care provider tells you to stop. If you do not take the medicine as directed then some germs might stay in your body and could make you sick or become very difficult to treat (resistant to medication.) |
| How do I take the medicine? |
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It is important to take the medicine every day or it may not work. If you forget to take the medicine, take it as soon as you can, but never take two pills at the same time. Take the medicine at the same time every day – for example, first thing in the morning or at bedtime. Try to take the medicine on an empty stomach. If it hurts your stomach, take with food. |
| How should I store the medicine? |
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Keep your medicine out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature in a cool, dry, and dark place. Do not take your medication if it has expired. |
| Is TB medicine safe? |
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Yes, when TB medication is taken as it is ordered it is usually safe. It is important not to drink alcohol when you are taking the medicine. Most people feel well, but the medicine can make some people feel sick. Call your health care provider right away if you have:
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| Can I get TB after I take the medicine? |
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People who take the medicine every day as ordered almost never get sick with active TB. People who do not take the medicine every day may get sick with active TB in the future. |
| How much does TB medicine cost? |
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The medicine is free. Health care providers should contact the SWPH to order. |
Active TB:
Treated with several medications that are often taken for 9-12 months or longer. It is very important that people who have active disease finish their medication and take it exactly as prescribed. If they stop taking the medicine too soon they can become sick again; if the medicine is not taken correctly, the germs that are still alive may become resistant to those drugs. TB that is resistant to drugs is harder and more expensive to treat.
NOTE: All medications for TB are free in Ontario. Your health care provider can order these medications from SWPH.
What should I do if I've been around someone who has active TB?
If you have been around someone who has active TB, you should talk to your health care provider about getting tested. People with active TB are most likely to spread the germs to people they spend a lot of time with every day, such as family members and co-workers.