When a person is diagnosed with TB infection, it means that they have been exposed to someone with TB disease, have inhaled TB bacteria, and BECOME infected with TB. About 5% of infected people progress to TB disease within the first two years after becoming infected. Another 5% will develop disease later. People who are infected:

• Have no symptoms
• Don't feel sick
• Cannot spread TB to others
• Usually have a positive TB skin test or TB blood test (Interferon Gamma Release Assay)
• May develop TB disease if not treated for TB infection

People at greater risks of progressing to TB disease usually have a weakened immune system. OLDER people; children under the age of 5; people with chronic illness (especially diabetes), lung diseases, or certain cancers; those who smoke, abuse substances, or take immune suppressive medications such as TnF inhibitors; or those with HIV infection have MUCH higher risk of developing TB disease if not treated.

Sometimes people are given treatment to prevent TB infection even if their TB test is NEGATIVE. This is often done with infants, children and HIV-infected people who have recently spent time with someone who has infectious TB disease. These groups are at very high risk of developing serious TB disease soon after they are exposed to TB bacteria. If you are prescribed treatment for TB infection, it is important that you take all of your pills exactly as prescribed. You should follow-up regularly with your health care provider while on medication so they can monitor how you are doing.

When a person is diagnosed with TB infection, it means that they have been exposed to someone with TB disease, have inhaled TB bacteria, and become infected with TB. About 5% of infected people progress to TB disease within the first two years after becoming infected. Another 5% will develop disease later. People who are infected:

People at greater risks of progressing to TB disease usually have a weakened immune system. Older people; children under the age of 5; people with chronic illness (especially diabetes), lung diseases, or certain cancers; those who smoke, abuse substances, or take immune suppressive medications such as TnF inhibitors; or those with HIV infection have much higher risk of developing TB disease if not treated.

Sometimes people are given treatment to prevent TB infection even if their TB test is negative. This is often done with infants, children and HIV-infected people who have recently spent time with someone who has infectious TB disease. These groups are at very high risk of developing serious TB disease soon after they are exposed to TB bacteria. If you are prescribed treatment for TB infection, it is important that you take all of your pills exactly as prescribed. You should follow-up regularly with your health care provider while on medication so they can monitor how you are doing.