In some countries and in international refugee situations, malnutrition has been associated with an increase in tuberculosis cases. While infection with the bacteria that causes tuberculosis is not uncommon, only about one in 10 people who become infected with the bacteria go on to develop the disease. There is no evidence of an increase in infection rates in children in the United States in recent years. On the contrary, studies of Navy recruits, which have been done for many years, show a steady decline in infection rates. Hi Missy, The bacteria that cause TB are transmitted through the air.
Small droplets produced by coughing are probably the most effective means of transmission.
It usually, but not always, takes fairly prolonged exposure in a confined space for one person to acquire TB bacteria from another. In experiments, they have been shown to survive in moist or dried sputum for up to six weeks, but are killed by a few hours' exposure to direct sunlight. Donald Donald, A common misconception is that tuberculosis can be spread from clothing, food, sharing utensils, or casual contact. In fact, tuberculosis is only spread when a person with untreated, infectious tuberculosis coughs, sings, talks, or sneezes, sending infectious particles into the air. These particles remain suspended in the air for minutes to hours in the absence of ventilation or sunlight.