Thus, most people who get infected have close contact with the infectious person, i.e., live in the same house. Tuberculosis is not transmitted by a foodborne route. Meat inspectors working with infected animals are not at increased risk for tuberculosis. Patients with tuberculosis of the lungs have a prolonged illness with fever, cough, night-sweats, weight loss and may occasionally cough up blood. As the disease progresses, symptoms get worse and shortness of breath ensues.
Untreated disease can be fatal.
Tuberculosis may be suspected on the basis of a chest X-ray picture or a positive skin test that indicates exposure to the bacteria. Sputum examination for presence of the organism is very strong evidence of disease. However, definitive diagnosis requires bacteriologic studies with isolation of the specific mycobacteria. Physicians ultimately diagnose disease based upon clinical symptoms in association with x-ray pictures and positive bacteriologic tests. Tuberculosis is a treatable and curable disease.