What is the difference between LATENT tuberculosis infection and ACTIVE tuberculosis?
Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) means the person has the TB germ in his/her body (usually lungs), but does not have any symptoms, is not ill, and is not contagious. In latent TB, the person has a significant reaction to the Mantoux skin test with no symptoms of tuberculosis, and no TB organisms found in the sputum. Active tuberculosis means the person has symptoms, a significant reaction to a Mantoux skin test and organisms found in the sputum. A person with active TB disease may remain contagious until he/she has been on appropriate treatment for several weeks.
