Understanding TB can help protect yourself, your family, and your community 

Learn the Facts About Tuberculosis (TB) 

Tuberculosis (TB) is a complicated health issue and is often misunderstood. TB can live 

in your body for years without symptoms. This is called inactive TB or latent TB infection. 

Inactive TB can become active TB disease at any time and make you sick. It is estimated 

that up to 13 million people in the United States live with inactive TB, which if left 

untreated can develop into active TB disease. Learn the facts and ask your healthcare 

provider about testing for TB infection. 

FACT: 

TB germs can remain 

inactive in a person’s 

body for years 

without symptoms 

and can become 

active at any time. 

FACT: 

TB germs are 

spread through the 

air from one 

person to another. 

When most people think of TB, they think about symptoms like 

coughing and difficulty breathing. While this is true for active TB 

disease, people with inactive TB do not have any symptoms and 

do not “feel” sick. The only way to know for sure if you have 

inactive TB is to get tested. 

If left untreated, 1 in 10 people with inactive TB will get sick with 

active TB disease, which can spread to others and can be 

deadly. The risk of developing active TB disease is much higher 

for people with weakened immune systems or those with 

diabetes, cancer, and HIV. 

TB germs are spread through the air when someone with active 

TB disease coughs, talks, or sings. People nearby may breathe 

in the TB germs and become infected. 

TB is NOT spread by: 

• sharing toothbrushes • touching bed linens or toilets

• saliva from kissing • sharing food, drink, or utensils

• shaking someone's hand

TB is most likely to spread to those who have spent time around someone 

who has active TB disease such as a family member, friend, or colleague. 
FACT: 

You can get TB 

even if you’ve 

been vaccinated. 

One of the common myths is that you are protected from TB if 

you’ve been given the TB vaccine (also known as bacille 

Calmette-Guérin or BCG vaccine). But the fact is, the TB vaccine’s 

protection weakens over time. 

If you have received the TB vaccine, tell your healthcare provider, 

especially if you’re getting tested for TB infection. 

FACT: 

Even if you’ve been 

screened for TB during 

your immigration 

process, you could have 

inactive TB and not 

know it. 

TB is common throughout the world, but if you’re born in Asia, 

Africa, or Latin America, you have a higher chance of getting 

infected with TB because it’s more common in these regions. 

Some people think that because they were screened during their 

immigration process to the United States, they don't have TB. 

However, until 2019, immigration exams only tested for active TB 

disease. You could have inactive TB and not know it. 

More than 80% of people who get sick with active TB disease in 

the United States each year get sick from untreated inactive TB, 

which can develop into active TB disease years or even decades 

later. That's why it's important to talk to your healthcare provider 

about getting tested. 

FACT: 

Inactive TB can be 

treated to prevent 

active TB 

disease. 

Even though you do not have symptoms with inactive TB, you can 

develop active TB disease, which is spread from person to 

person, can make you sick, and can even be fatal if left untreated. 

Treatment options are available to prevent you and your loved 

ones from developing active TB disease and getting sick. 

If you have inactive TB, completing your treatment is important 

to prevent active TB disease. Talk to your healthcare provider 

about your medications, and ask about community resources 

that can support you in your treatment plan. 

CDC recommends that people at risk for TB get tested. 

If you have inactive TB, treatments are available that can help protect 

you and your loved ones from getting sick with active TB disease. 

Talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested. 

To learn more about TB and how you can protect 

yourself and others, visit www.cdc.gov/thinktesttreattb 

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