Why does latent TB infection progress to active TB disease?
Latent tuberculosis (TB) infection may develop into active TB disease if your body’s defence (immune) system can’t stop the TB germs (bacteria) from growing. You are at the highest risk (about five per cent) of active TB disease within the first two years of becoming infected. After the first two years, there is only another five per cent chance of you developing active TB disease in your lifetime.
