What is active tuberculosis (TB disease)?
TB bacteria become active if the immune system can t stop them from growing. If the germs become active they begin to grow and spread. The germs can move through the blood to infect the lungs and other parts of the body, such as the kidney, spine and brain. Some people develop TB disease soon after becoming infected, because their immune system can’t fight the TB bacteria off. Whilst other people, may get sick sometime later when for some reason their immune system becomes weak. This is usually due to growing old or developing another serious illness. You can have a weak immune system for many reasons, especially so if you are infected with the H.I.V. virus as your ability to fight infection is very low. How is tuberculosis spread? Active TB of the throat and lungs is infectious. If active TB affects other parts of the body it is not infectious. When people who are infected with active TB of the throat or lungs cough, sneeze, laugh, or even talk, millions of tiny water droplets come ou
