What is TB disease?
- TB disease is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This bacterium enters your body through the air you breathe.
- TB usually affects the lungs but can affect any part of the body, including the lymph nodes, kidneys, bladder, and spine.
- When TB causes a disease in the lungs or airways, it is called respiratory TB.
- When TB causes disease outside of the lungs, it is called non-respiratory TB.
How is TB disease spread?
- TB is spread through the air. TB bacteria get into the air when a person with respiratory TB coughs, talks, sneezes, or sings. TB is most often spread to people who spend a lot of time with the person who has the disease.
- People at highest risk are those living in the same household or setting (e.g., long-term care home, shelter, jail) and people who are very young (less than five years of age) or have a weak immune system (e.g., someone with cancer or diabetes).
What are the symptoms of TB disease?
- Cough longer than two weeks
- Coughing up blood or phlegm (sputum; thick liquid that comes up from your lungs/airways)
- Fever/chills/night sweats
- Feeling tired
- Unexplained weight loss/loss of appetite
- Chest pain
- Pain in other spots of the body where the TB bacteria are growing
What are the tests for TB?
- Chest x-ray/CT Scan/MRI: Radiology can detect some of the abnormalities associated with TB.
- Sputum Smear and Culture: Samples (most often from the fluid in your lungs) are collected and tested for the TB bacteria.
- First, the sample is looked at using a microscope to see if there are bacteria that look like they may be TB. This usually takes one to two days.
- Then the sample is tested further at the laboratory; this is called a culture. Culture results can take up to eight weeks for a result.
- Biopsy: A small piece of tissue is taken from the suspected body part and is tested for TB bacteria.
- Fluid aspiration: A needle is placed into the suspected body part which is used to remove a small amount of fluid that is tested for TB bacteria.
How is TB treated?
- TB is treated with medications that your healthcare provider orders. These medications are provided to you for free by the Health Unit.
- The medications take a very long time (up to one year) to kill all the TB bacteria. Some people might want to stop taking the medications when they start to feel better. However, if someone stops taking their medications too soon, it can cause the TB to become stronger and harder to kill.
- It is important to take all the medications that your healthcare provider prescribes. Take your medications until your healthcare provider tells you to stop.
Where can I get more information about TB disease?
Contact the Communicable Disease Control (CDC) Program at 705-474-1400, or toll-free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5229 or email us at cdc@healthunit.ca.
Visit the Health Unit's webpage for more information on Tuberculosis.
References:
- Canadian Journal of Respiratory, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine. Volume 6, Issue sup1 (2022). Canadian Tuberculosis Standards - 8th edition.
- Public Health Agency of Canada. (2024). Tuberculosis (TB): Symptoms and treatment. Government of Canada.