COMMUNITY

​​​WHAT IS TUBERCULOSIS?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal. TB disease was once the leading cause of death in the United States.

TB is spread through the air from one person to another. The bacteria are put into the air when a person with active TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs or sneezes. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected.

• How TB Spre​ads
• TB Signs and Symptoms
• Latent TB Infection vs. Active TB Disease
• Questions & Answers about TB

INFORMATION FOR TRAVELERS

• TB Travel Information (CDC)
• TB High Burden Countries, 2021-2025
• Tuberculosis Profiles by Country (World Health Organization)
• World Health Organization Global TB Report

FACT SHEETS

• General Information​
• Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis
• Testing for Tuberculosis​
  
• Treatment
• Five Things to Know about TB (CDC video)