END TUBERCULOSIS: WORLD TB DAY MARCH 24.

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.

TB bacteria are spread through the air from one person to another. The TB bacteria are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected.

TB is NOT spread by

• shaking someone's hand
• sharing food or drink
• touching bed linens or toilet seats
• sharing toothbrushes
• kissing

When a person breathes in TB bacteria, the bacteria can settle in the lungs and begin to grow. From there, they can move through the blood to other parts of the body, such as the kidney, spine, and brain.

TB disease in the lungs or throat can be infectious. This means that the bacteria can be spread to other people. TB in other parts of the body, such as the kidney or spine, is usually not infectious.

People with TB disease are most likely to spread it to people they spend time with every day. This includes family members, friends, and coworkers or schoolmates.

TB adversely affects groups that have historically experienced greater obstacles to health based on their racial or ethnic group. The percentage of TB cases that occur in Hispanics, blacks or African Americans, and Asians is higher than expected based on the percentage of these minorities in the U.S. population. In 2015, about 87% of the TB cases reported in the United States were in racial and ethnic minorities.

Certain comorbid medical conditions contribute to disparities in the rate of TB. Medical conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and HIV infection alter the immune system’s ability to fight TB germs. As a result, people with these medical conditions are more likely to develop TB disease if they are infected with TB germs.