CS229616_A

TB Elimination

Tuberculosis Information for Employers 

in Non-Healthcare Settings

What is tuberculosis (TB)?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria 

called Mycobacterium tuberculosis that are spread 

from person to person through the air. TB usually 

affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts 

of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys, or the 

spine. Not everyone infected with TB bacteria 

becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions 

exist: latent TB infection and TB disease.

What is latent TB infection?

Persons with latent TB infection (LTBI) do not feel 

sick and do not have any symptoms, but usually 

have a positive reaction to the tuberculin skin test 

or TB blood test. They are infected with TB bacteria, 

but do not have TB disease. Persons with LTBI are 

not infectious and cannot spread TB infection to 

others. 

What is TB disease?

In some people, TB bacteria overcome the 

defenses of the immune system and begin to 

multiply, resulting in the progression from latent 

TB infection to TB disease. Some people develop 

TB disease soon after infection, while others never 

develop TB disease or develop it later in life when 

their immune system becomes weak. Persons with 

TB disease usually have symptoms, are considered 

infectious, and may spread TB bacteria to others.

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.

A person with latent 

TB infection (LTBI)

A person with TB 

disease

Usually has a TB skin 

test or blood test result 

indicating TB infection

Usually has a TB skin 

test or blood test result 

indicating TB infection

Has a normal chest 

x-ray and a negative 

sputum test

May have an abnormal 

chest x-ray, or positive 

sputum smear or 

culture

Has TB bacteria in his/

her body that are alive, 

but inactive

Has active TB bacteria 

in his/her body

Does not feel sick Usually feels sick and 

may have symptoms 

such as coughing, 

fever, and weight loss

Cannot spread TB 

bacteria to others

May spread TB bacteria 

to others

Needs treatment for 

latent TB infection to 

prevent TB disease

Needs treatment for TB 

disease

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. 

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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 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 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 TB disease in the future.

For additional information, contact your local or 

state TB control program. They can advise you 

about what should be done.

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 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

1. CDC. Questions and Answers About TB. 

http://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/faqs/

default.htm

2. CDC. Tuberculosis: General Information.

http://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/

factsheets/general/tb.htm

3. CDC. The Difference Between Latent 

TB Infection and TB Disease. 

http://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/

factsheets/general/LTBIandActiveTB.htm

4. Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs)-

Blood Tests for TB Infection. 

http://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/

factsheets/testing/IGRA.htm

5. CDC. Tuberculin Skin Testing. 

http://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/

factsheets/testing/skintesting.htm

6. CDC. Protect Your Family and Friends from 

TB: The TB Contact Investigation. 

http://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/

pamphlets/TB_contact_investigation.pdf

7. TB Control Programs. 

http://www.cdc.gov/tb/links/tboffices.htm

January 2012

http://www.cdc.gov/tb