Tuberculosis (TB) is slow-growing bacterial infection that most often affects the lungs. If active TB is not treated, it can damage your lungs or other organs and can be deadly. You can also spread TB to others by not treating an active infection.
Symptoms of active Tuberculosis may include:
- A cough with thick, cloudy, and sometimes bloody mucus from the lungs for more than 2 weeks.
- Tiredness, weight loss and loss of appetite.
- Night sweats, chills and a fever.
- A rapid heartbeat.
Treatment is usually successful, but TB can only be cured if you take all the doses of your medicine. Treatment is a long process usually taking about 6 to 9 months to complete. However, some TB infections need treatment for up to 2 years.
Your local health department offers testing for Tuberculosis for a small fee. If necessary, TB treatment is available.
For more information on Tuberculosis (TB), visit: CDC TB page
Last Updated on June 2, 2016
