Tuberculosis is a serious disease that can affect the lungs, and can be deadly if left untreated. The good news is, tuberculosis can be cured with proper treatment. That’s why it’s important to be tested if you suspect you may have been exposed to the tuberculosis germ.
ANYONE can get TB. Those at higher risk include:
- People who share the same breathing space (such as family members, friends, coworkers) with someone who has TB disease;
- Homeless people
- Foreign-born people from countries where a lot of people have TB
- Nursing home residents
- Prisoners
- Alcoholics & intravenous drug users
- People with medical conditions such as diabetes – certain types of cancers – being underweight
- People with HIV (human immune deficiency virus), the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome).
Click here for more information about tuberculosis testing and treatment.
