What is the difference between tuberculosis disease and latent tuberculosis infection?
People with latent tuberculosis infection have tuberculosis germs in their bodies, but they are not sick because the germs are not active. These people do not have symptoms of tuberculosis disease, and they cannot spread the germs to others. However, they may develop tuberculosis disease in the future. They are often prescribed treatment to prevent them from developing tuberculosis disease. People with tuberculosis disease are sick from tuberculosis germs that are active, meaning that they are multiplying and destroying tissue in their body. They usually have symptoms of tuberculosis disease. People with tuberculosis disease of the lungs or throat are capable of spreading germs to others. They are prescribed drugs that can cure tuberculosis disease. • Question: Should anyone who comes in contact with refugees be tested for TB? Answer: To become infected, a person would have to spend a relatively long time in a closed environment, where the air was contaminated by a person with untreate
