MLHU - Health Status Resource

Tuberculosis (TB) – active and latent infections

Active tuberculosis (TB) infection means that TB bacteria are present in a person’s body and are growing and causing symptoms.  If the active TB infection is the lungs or other parts of the airway, it can be spread to other people.  A latent TB infection means that TB bacteria are present in a person’s body, but his/her immune system is able to prevent the TB bacteria from growing.  Individuals with latent TB infection are not able to spread TB to others.