Tuberculosis (TB)

TB is a serious disease caused by a germ. The germ goes to the lung first, but can also go to many other parts of the body. The TB germ is found all over the world. Although TB is not common in Canada, there are new cases every year.

What is TB infection?

• TB infection means a person’s body (immune system ) traps the germs by building a wall around them.
• The person does not feel sick and cannot pass the germ to anyone else.
• The person does not have TB disease.
• 10 % of people infected with the TB germ will develop TB disease 

Some time later, the wall can break open, and the germs can get out. TB disease means the germs are multiplying and the person is sick.

 

Some reasons why the wall might break open:

• Over tired
• Poor eating
• Stress
• Other diseases such as diabetes, cancer and HIV/AIDS

You may:

• Have a cough that won’t go away
• Not want to eat
• Feel tired
• Lose weight
• Have a fever
• Sweat during the night
   

A person with TB in their lungs coughs or sneezes and the germs are forced out into the air.

You can get TB if you spend long periods of time with a person who has TB by breathing the germs into your own lungs, for example at home or at work.

Have a Mantoux skin test:

• A small amount of fluid is put under the skin of your arm.
• After two days, a nurse or doctor will look at your arm.
• If a bump is present, it is measured with a ruler.
• If the skin test is positive, you will be asked to see your doctor. A chest x-ray will be done to see if TB disease is present. 

If TB is in your lungs, you may also:

• Have pain when coughing
• Cough a lot
• Cough up blood

• TB infection and TB disease can be cured by taking medicine every day for 6 to 12 months
  to kill the TB germs.
• If a person stops taking the medicine too soon, he/she will get sick again. Then the germ
  may become stronger and the medicine may not work.