What are the outcomes of tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that usually attacks the lungs. Untreated TB can be fatal, but with proper diagnosis and treatment, the majority of people with TB can be cured.

The outcomes of TB depend on a number of factors, including the type of TB, the person's overall health, and the promptness and adequacy of treatment.

Pulmonary TB

* Cured: With proper diagnosis and treatment, the majority of people with pulmonary TB can be cured.

* Latent TB infection: Some people with TB may develop latent TB infection, in which the bacteria are present in the body but are not causing active disease. Latent TB infection is not contagious, but it can progress to active TB if left untreated.

* Active TB: If latent TB infection is not treated, it can progress to active TB, which is contagious and can cause serious illness or death.

* Death: Untreated TB can be fatal.

Extrapulmonary TB

Extrapulmonary TB is TB that affects organs other than the lungs, such as the lymph nodes, kidneys, or bones. The outcomes of extrapulmonary TB depend on the location of the infection and the person's overall health.

* Cured: With proper diagnosis and treatment, the majority of people with extrapulmonary TB can be cured.

* Complications: Extrapulmonary TB can cause serious complications, such as meningitis, kidney failure, or bone destruction.

* Death: Untreated extrapulmonary TB can be fatal.

Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB)

MDR-TB is a form of TB that is resistant to two or more of the most effective TB drugs. MDR-TB is more difficult to treat than non-MDR-TB and can require longer treatment with more toxic drugs.

* Cured: With proper diagnosis and treatment, some people with MDR-TB can be cured.

* Drug toxicity: The drugs used to treat MDR-TB can be toxic and can cause serious side effects.

* Death: Untreated MDR-TB can be fatal.