A health department in the Midwest is sounding the alarm about tuberculosis (TB).
A tuberculosis outbreak in the Kansas City area is now considered one of the largest in American history, with 67 active cases and 79 latent cases as of Jan. 31, 2025.
Because TB does not spread as easily as colds and flu, the risk of infection remains low. Even so, there are signs and symptoms of tuberculosis you should know.
What is tuberculosis?
“Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that spreads through the air,” said Jennifer Grant, MD, system medical director for Infection Prevention and Control at Endeavor Health. “It most often affects the lungs but can affect other parts of the body such as the throat, kidneys, spine and brain.”
There are two types of TB: inactive and active. With inactive or latent TB, the bacteria are present in the body but do not cause any symptoms. While inactive TB is not contagious, it can develop into active TB if not treated. Active TB causes symptoms and is contagious.
What are the symptoms of tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis can be serious, but it can also be treated. Tuberculosis can cause these symptoms:
- A severe cough that lasts longer than three weeks
- Chest pain
- Coughing up blood or mucus
- Weakness or fatigue
- Unintended weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Chills
- Fever
- Night sweats
How contagious is tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis spreads when someone with an active infection coughs, talks or sings and bacteria is expelled into the air. The germs can linger in the air for several hours, and others become infected when they inhale the bacteria.
You cannot get TB from shaking an infected person’s hand, touching their clothing or bedding, sharing food or toothbrushes.
“Tuberculosis does not spread as easily as cold or flu viruses. You must inhale the bacteria to become infected,” said Dr. Grant. “The more time you spend in close contact with someone infected with active TB, the higher your risk of infection. Most people who breathe in the tuberculosis bacteria will develop the latent, or inactive, form of TB. People with weakened immune systems are or other risk factors have a higher risk of active infection.”
People infected with active tuberculosis should take steps to prevent the spread, including covering their mouth with a tissue when coughing or even laughing, isolating yourself from others or following your doctors’ instructions about wearing a mask, taking medication as instructed and airing out your room since bacteria can more easily spread in a small, enclosed area.
What is the treatment for tuberculosis?
There are several antibiotic medications used to treat both latent and active tuberculosis, which are typically taken for 3 to 9 months. Treatment taken for latent TB can significantly reduce the risk of later developing active TB.
Is there a vaccine for tuberculosis?
The vaccine for tuberculosis is called Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG). While it is not routinely given in the United States, many people born in countries where TB is more common have received the vaccine.
In the U.S. there is such a low risk of infection that the vaccine has never been widely given. A TB skin test or blood test can show whether someone was exposed to the tuberculosis bacteria. The vaccine can cause false-positive results on the skin test.
Tuberculosis is a potentially dangerous disease, but the risk of infection remains low even with the recent outbreak. If you have questions about symptoms or think you may be infected, contact your primary care doctor.
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