Tuberculosis Specialists in Telangana

Can someone with latent TB infect other people?

No, latent TB causes no symptoms and cannot be spread to others, since the bacteria remain dormant, but it can progress to active, contagious disease later, particularly if the immune system weakens, which is why latent TB is still treated preventively in high-risk individuals. This preventive treatment stops the infection from ever becoming active.

Is tuberculosis curable?

Yes, it is both preventable and curable with a prolonged course of multiple antibiotics, typically for six months or longer, and completing the full treatment is essential to fully eradicate the bacteria and prevent drug resistance. Directly observed therapy is often used to help ensure the complete course is finished.

Why does India have such a high burden of TB?

India carries one of the highest burdens of tuberculosis in the world, driven by factors including crowded living conditions, malnutrition, and gaps in access to prompt diagnosis and treatment, though rates are declining under national control programmes. This is why TB remains a major public health priority in the country despite being both preventable and curable.

Can TB affect parts of the body other than the lungs?

Yes, extrapulmonary TB can spread to other organs including the kidneys, spine, and brain, though pulmonary TB affecting the lungs remains the most common and most contagious form. Symptoms and treatment approach can vary depending on which organ system is involved.

What increases the risk of latent TB becoming active disease?

HIV infection, diabetes, malnutrition, smoking, and other conditions that weaken the immune system all increase the risk of progression from latent to active disease. Managing these underlying conditions and completing preventive treatment for latent TB when recommended both help reduce this risk.