General Information

Males are 62% more likely than females to have TB

Demographics: Tuberculosis cases generally increase as age increases so those ages  65 and over have the highest rate of infection

In the United States certain subgroups are also more likely to be infected such as those born in foreign countries

-Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by germs that are spread from person to person through the air. 

-TB usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys, or the spine. 

-A person with TB can die if they do not get treatment.

-TB germs are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. These germs can stay in the air for several hours, depending on the environment.

-People who breathe in the air containing these TB germs can become infected; this is called latent TB infection.