Tuberculosis is transmitted from person to person through the air when a patient with active tuberculosis disease coughs, sneezes or speaks. Because it is air-borne, it is especially important for those living in or traveling to a tuberculosis risk area to be aware that they are at risk for the disease, to know the symptoms of tuberculosis and to be tested, if they think they have been exposed.

Most people who are infected with the tuberculosis germ do not have the active form of the disease. They have no symptoms and are not infectious. However, they carry the germ, which may grow and lead to the active, infectious disease at some time in the future.

If you have the symptoms of tuberculosis you should see a doctor right away. And if you notice someone who has the symptoms of tuberculosis you should encourage them to see a doctor right away.

“If a person waits to be treated, they may become very sick and even more contagious.” tuberculosis symptoms include a persistent cough, fever, night sweats, and unintended weight loss. tuberculosis germs are spread through the air.

Anyone can get tuberculosis, but certain people are at a higher risk. People with conditions that affect their immune systems, such as HIV, diabetes or cancer, and people who are homeless, who use street drugs, or who have been in prison or jail are at higher risk.

The rising incidence of tuberculosis has economic repercussions not only for the patient’s family but also for the country. Eighty percent of people afflicted with tuberculosis are in the most economically productive years of their lives, and the disease sends many self-sustaining families into poverty. The rise in the incidence of tuberculosis has been due to the low priority accorded to anti-tuberculosis activities by many countries. The unavailability of anti-TB drugs, insufficient laboratory networking, poor health infrastructures, including a lack of trained health personnel, have also contributed to the rise in the incidence of the diseases.