What Does TB Mean?

TB is the common abbreviation for the potentially fatal infectious disease tuberculosis. This disease is an airborne virus that primarily affects your lungs but can attack any part of the body, including the kidneys and spine. According to the Mayo Clinic, TB is the cause of almost 2 million deaths each year, and the number of those diagnosed is increasing thanks to a combination of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and drug-resistant strains of the bacteria that causes TB.

Types

• Depending on the strength of your immune system, you could have one of two types of TB -- latent TB and active TB. Latent TB occurs when you have the TB bacteria in your body, but do not get sick or exhibit any symptoms. This type of the disease renders the bacteria inactive, meaning you also cannot spread it to others. Active TB, as the name suggests, means the bacteria is active and as a result, you get sick and can spread the virus to others.

Infection

• Tuberculosis is an airborne virus, meaning it spreads from person to person via the air. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes TB, enters the air when a person with active TB in their lungs or throat coughs or sneezes. The bacteria can also be released during normal speech or singing. Infection cannot occur simply by shaking someone's hand or kissing.

Symptoms

• Someone with latent TB disease will not get sick and therefore will not exhibit any symptoms. A person with active TB will get sick as the bacteria multiplies, and will eventually begin experiencing symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, fatigue and night sweats. If the bacteria attacks your lungs, common symptoms include a persistent cough for three or more weeks and coughing up blood.

Diagnosis

• The most common method your doctor will use in order to check for a TB infection is a simple skin test called the Mantoux test. A small amount of a liquid called PPD tuberculin is injected below the skin of your lower arm. After 48 to 72 hours, the arm is examined for a reaction, which would indicate the presence of the tuberculosis bacteria.

Treatments

• In the case of latent TB, your doctor will probably prescribe you an antibiotic to take for six to nine months in order to kill the bacteria. Left untreated, the bacteria will remain in your lungs, leaving you vulnerable to developing active TB should your immune system ever weaken. Treatment for active TB involves taking numerous medications simultaneously in order to keep the bacteria from becoming resistant to any individual one.