What is a latent tuberculosis (TB) infection?
ANSWER
With a latent infection, you have the TB bacteria, but you don't feel sick and you have no symptoms. You can't spread TB to anyone else. The only sign that you have a TB infection is a positive TB skin test or blood test.
About 5% to 10% of people who have a latent TB infection will eventually get TB disease. Your chance of it depends on your medical history.
Reviewed by Laura J. Martin on September 15, 2019
SOURCES:
Mayo Clinic: "Tuberculosis - Diagnosis."
CDC: "Testing for TB Infection," "Diagnosis of Tuberculosis Disease," "The Difference Between Latent TB Infection and TB Disease."
UpToDate: "Patient education: Tuberculosis (Beyond the Basics)."
National Jewish Health: "Tuberculosis: Diagnosis."
American Lung Association: "Diagnosing and Treating Tuberculosis."
SOURCES:
Mayo Clinic: "Tuberculosis - Diagnosis."
CDC: "Testing for TB Infection," "Diagnosis of Tuberculosis Disease," "The Difference Between Latent TB Infection and TB Disease."
UpToDate: "Patient education: Tuberculosis (Beyond the Basics)."
National Jewish Health: "Tuberculosis: Diagnosis."
American Lung Association: "Diagnosing and Treating Tuberculosis."
From: TB (Tuberculosis) Tests
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