This condition — the plain-language one-pager.

What is Tuberculosis (TB)?Diagnosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection of the lungs (mostly) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. About 1 in 4 people worldwide carry the bacteria — most as silent latent TB infection (LTBI) that never makes them sick. Of those, ~5–10% will progress to active TB disease in their lifetime, when the bacteria multiply and damage the lungs (or rarely other organs). Active TB is contagious — but with proper treatment, it is fully curable.

• Latent TB (LTBI) — Bacteria present but inactive. Asymptomatic. Not contagious. Detected by IGRA (QuantiFERON, T-SPOT) or skin test (TST). Treated with rifampin × 4 months OR isoniazid + rifapentine weekly × 12 weeks (3HP) OR isoniazid × 6–9 months. Treatment cuts progression risk by ~90%.
• Active TB — Cough >3 weeks (often blood-tinged), fevers, night sweats, weight loss, fatigue. Contagious. Diagnosed with chest X-ray + sputum AFB smear / culture / NAAT. Treatment is multi-drug therapy 6 months minimum (RIPE: rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, ethambutol).
• Higher risk for progression — HIV, recent infection (last 2 years), young children, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, smoking, malnutrition, organ transplant, biologic immunosuppressants (TNF-α inhibitors), corticosteroids, silicosis.
• Public health partnership — TB is a reportable disease. Local health department helps with contact tracing, directly observed therapy (DOT), and treatment monitoring.

Latent TB treatment is one of the highest-leverage decisions in medicineKnow your plan

Most people who develop active TB had latent TB they never treated. A 4-month course of rifampin (or 3 months of weekly 3HP) cuts your lifetime risk of active TB by ~90% — and stops you from passing it to anyone else.

• Get screened if you are at risk — born outside the US in a higher-prevalence country, healthcare worker, recent contact, immunocompromised, homeless or recently incarcerated.
• If your IGRA is positive, ask about treatment. Most people with LTBI never need to be sick to know they have it.
• Know the regimens — 4R (rifampin daily 4 months) and 3HP (isoniazid + rifapentine weekly 12 weeks) are the modern preferred options. Both shorter and better tolerated than older 9-month INH.
• Active TB requires immediate treatment + isolation. Do not delay. The cure rate is high but only if treatment is finished.

Your daily Force FieldLive It

• If you have active TB, take every dose of every drug, every day, for the full course. Missing doses creates drug-resistant TB.
• If you have latent TB, complete the full prevention course. 4 months of rifampin OR 12 weeks of weekly 3HP works only if finished.
• Mask + isolate during the contagious phase of active TB until your team confirms you are no longer infectious (usually 2-3 weeks of effective treatment).
• Tell every clinician about your TB diagnosis — especially before any biologic / TNF-α inhibitor / chemotherapy / transplant.
• Avoid alcohol during INH-based regimens — risk of liver injury.
• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) with isoniazid prevents peripheral neuropathy.
• Monthly LFTs early in treatment, then per protocol; report any nausea, dark urine, or RUQ pain.
• Public health follow-up — accept DOT support if offered; it doubles completion rates.
• Vaccines + nutrition + sleep — supports immune recovery; address malnutrition aggressively.

Red flags — call nowAction

• Call your clinic the same day for: new chest discomfort with exertion that goes away with rest (stable shortness of breath worth evaluating); a missed dose of antiplatelet or pulmonary medication; medication side effects (muscle aches, bleeding, GI symptoms).
• Bring up at next visit: any change in exercise tolerance, lipid follow-up timing, BP log review, smoking-cessation support, depression screening, sleep concerns.