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TB FAQs and Basic Facts

This section of the NPIN Website connects you to basic information from the Division of TB Elimination (DTBE) at the CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention.

The CDC's answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about TB are organized into these categories:

Introduction
Latent TB Infection
TB Disease

For definitions of common terms related to TB, view the glossary.

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Introduction

• What is TB?
• Why is TB a Problem Today?
• How is TB spread?
• What is latent TB infection?
• What is Active TB disease?

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Latent TB Infection

• Should I get tested for TB?
• What are the tests for TB infection?
• What if I have a positive test for TB infection?  
• What if I have been vaccinated with BCG?
• If I have latent TB infection, how can I keep from developing active TB disease?
• What if I have HIV infection?
• If I was exposed to someone with active TB disease, can I give TB to others?

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TB Disease

• How is active TB disease treated?
• What are the side effects of medicines for TB?
• Why do I need to take TB medicine regularly?
• What is directly observed therapy (DOT)?
• How can I remember to take my TB medicines if I am not on DOT?
• How can I keep from spreading TB?
• What are multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR TB)?