02/20/2026 Public Health Education Topic: Tuberculosis (TB)

Per CDC Español

Key points

• Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

• Two TB-related conditions exist: inactive TB and active TB disease.

• Getting tested and treated for TB can protect yourself, your family and friends, and your community.

TB usually affects the lungs. TB can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys, or the spine. TB can also affect multiple parts of the body at the same time. For example, TB can affect both the lungs and lymph nodes.

Not everyone infected with TB germs becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: inactive TB (or latent TB infection) and active TB disease.

If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.

Types:

Inactive TB

TB germs can live in the body without making you sick. This is called inactive TB, or latent TB infection. People with inactive TB are infected with TB germs, but they do not have active TB disease. They do not feel sick, do not have any symptoms, and cannot spread TB to others.

Without treatment, people with inactive TB can develop active TB disease at any time and become sick.

Active TB Disease

TB germs become active if the immune system can’t stop them from growing. When TB germs are active (multiplying in your body), this is called active TB disease. People with active TB disease feel sick. They may also be able to spread the germs to people they spend time with every day. Without treatment, active TB disease can be fatal.

Symptoms of active TB disease include:

• A cough that lasts three weeks or longer

• Chest pain

• Coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs)

• Weakness or fatigue

• Weight loss

• Loss of appetite

• Chills

• Fever

• Night sweats

  
  

People with inactive TB do not have symptoms. However, without treatment, they can develop active TB disease and become sick.

To learn more visit: About Tuberculosis | Tuberculosis (TB) | CDC