Tuberculosis, or TB, is a disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is a communicable disease that affects the lungs; however, it can affect other parts of the body. A person can be exposed to TB and have latent TB, which means that the TB is not actively making him sick at the time. Active TB is when the TB bacteria is not able to be controlled by the immune system, and the person develops the disease.
Compromised Immune System
Persons with compromised immune systems are more likely to develop active tuberculosis because their bodies cannot fight off the disease. These include persons with a disease that affects the immune system, such as HIV/AIDS or cancer, and persons that are on medications that suppress the immune system. The elderly, persons who abuse substances and persons who are malnourished may also have lowered immune systems. Persons with lowered immune systems should stay away from others who have TB and should talk to their doctors about getting screened if indicated.
Close Contact With Someone With Active TB
Persons that have prolonged, frequent contact with someone that has active tuberculosis have a higher risk for developing TB. Pulmonary TB is spread through respiratory droplets. Someone with active TB should be isolated and, depending on where she is with her therapy, will be instructed by her physician about precautions to take to protect others. Precautions might include wearing a special mask and staying in a separate room or limiting close contact. Persons that live with someone with active TB or have been in a confined space with a TB case should be tested for TB.
In addition, persons in the following groups who are in close proximity to someone with TB are at risk: health care workers, and persons living in residential facilities, refugee camps or prisons.
Geographical Factors
The Mayo Clinic reports that persons from the following areas have a higher rate of TB: sub-Saharan Africa, India, China, the islands of Southeast Asia and Micronesia, and parts of the former Soviet Union. Persons traveling to these countries also have a risk of being exposed to TB. There is a higher rate of TB in these countries which increases the chances of coming into contact with someone that has active TB.
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