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How is TB spread?TB bacteria are released into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. These bacteria can stay in the air for several hours, depending on the environment. Persons who breathe in the air containing these TB bacteria can become infected; this is called latent TB infection. A person with latent TB infection cannot spread TB to others. Persons with TB disease are most likely to spread the bacteria to other people they spend time with every day, such as family members or coworkers. Anyone who has been around someone who has TB disease should go to the doctor or local health department for TB tests. TB is not spread through eating utensils, countertops, chairs, doorknobs, or other surfaces where a TB patient has been. What are the symptoms of TB?The general symptoms of TB disease include feelings of sickness or weakness, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. The symptoms of TB disease of the lungs may also include coughing, chest pain, and the coughing up of blood. Symptoms of TB disease in other parts of the body depend on the area affected. What should I do if an employee reports having a positive TB test or that he or she has been in contact with someone who has TB?It is important to remember that only a person with active TB
disease can transmit TB bacteria to others. If an individual has
been around someone with TB disease, he or she can get TB infection.
However, not everyone infected with TB germs becomes sick. A person
with latent TB infection cannot spread germs to other people, but
can develop active TB disease in the future. What will happen after I contact my local or state TB control program for assistance?The TB control program will determine if the employee has latent TB infection or TB disease. Since people with latent TB infection cannot spread TB to others, nothing further will need to be done in the workplace. However, if the employee has active TB disease, the TB control program may start a contact investigation. The investigation will help them find out how the employee may have been exposed to TB and to determine who else might be at risk. During the investigation, the health department will ask the employee about his or her job, such as the work hours, working conditions, and people who work closely with him or her. The TB control program may set up an appointment to talk with you and to tour your workplace. They may also want to talk to people who regularly visit your workplace. Throughout the investigation, they will work with you to make sure that the employee’s identity is kept confidential. Additional Information
Last Modified: 11/16/2007 Last Reviewed: 05/18/2008 |
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If you would like to order any of the DTBE publications please visit the online order form. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader v5.0 or higher to read pages that are in PDF format. Download the Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you have difficulty accessing any material on the DTBE Web site because of a disability, please contact us in writing or via telephone and we will work with you to make the information available. Division of Tuberculosis Elimination
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention |
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