TB and Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects how the body turns food into energy.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious health threat, especially for people living with diabetes. Two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection and TB disease. People with latent TB infection are not sick because the body is able to fight the bacteria to stop them from growing. People with TB disease are sick and have active TB because the body cannot stop the bacteria from growing. People living with diabetes who are also infected with TB are more likely to develop TB disease and become sick with TB.

Someone with untreated latent TB infection and diabetes is more likely to develop TB disease than someone without diabetes. Without proper treatment, diabetes and TB can increase health complications.

Treatment

Untreated latent TB infection can progress to TB disease. TB disease, without treatment, can progress from sickness to death.

Fortunately, treatment options are available for people with diabetes who also have either latent TB infection or TB disease. If a person is diagnosed with TB infection, further testing is required to rule out TB disease. People with either latent TB infection or TB disease can be effectively treated.

Before beginning treatment for TB disease or for latent TB infection, TB patients should talk to their doctor about any other medication they are taking, including medicine for diabetes. Some medications used to treat TB might interact with medicine used treat diabetes.

Learn about Treatment.