Explainer
Tuberculosis risk factors: who is more likely to get TB
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial disease that usually attacks the lungs. Here is what MedlinePlus, from the National Library of Medicine, says about who is more likely to be infected with TB germs, who is more likely to get sick, and what to watch for.
What tuberculosis is
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial disease that usually attacks the lungs, but it can also attack other parts of the body, including the kidneys, spine and brain (MedlinePlus). It is caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MedlinePlus).
Not everyone infected with TB germs becomes sick, so there are two types of TB conditions (MedlinePlus):
- Inactive (latent) TB infection: the TB germs live in your body but do not make you sick.
- TB disease (active TB): you get sick from the TB germs. TB disease can almost always be cured with antibiotics, but if it is not treated properly, it can be fatal.
TB is found in the U.S., but it is more common in certain other countries (MedlinePlus).
How TB spreads
The germs spread from person to person through the air. People who have TB disease in their throat or lungs spread the germs when they cough, sneeze, talk or sing, and if you breathe in that air, you can get TB (MedlinePlus). TB is not spread by touching, kissing, or sharing food or dishes (MedlinePlus). You are more likely to catch TB from people you live or work with than from people you see for shorter amounts of time (MedlinePlus).
Who is more likely to get infected with TB germs
Anyone who is near a person with TB disease can get infected. You are more likely to be near someone with TB disease if you (MedlinePlus):
- were born in or often travel to countries where TB disease is common
- are a health care worker
- work or live in a place where TB is more common, such as shelters for people without homes, jails and nursing homes
Who is more likely to get sick with TB disease
Certain people are more likely to get sick with TB disease after they get infected. They include people who (MedlinePlus):
- have HIV
- became infected with TB in the last 2 years
- have other diseases, such as diabetes, that make it hard for the body to fight TB germs
- have alcohol use disorder or inject illegal drugs
- were not treated correctly for TB in the past
- are under age 5
- are an older adult
- take medicines that weaken the immune system, such as medicines taken after an organ transplant, steroids, and specialized treatments for certain autoimmune diseases
HIV weakens the immune system, so if you have both HIV and inactive TB, the TB can quickly become active TB disease. People who have HIV also need to get tested for TB (MedlinePlus). See the HIV screening check.
Symptoms to know
Most people who have TB germs in their bodies do not get sick with TB disease. With an inactive TB infection, you have no symptoms and cannot spread TB to others, but you could get sick with TB disease in the future if your immune system becomes weak for another reason (MedlinePlus). You can get sick with TB disease weeks to years after you are infected (MedlinePlus).
With TB disease, symptoms depend on where the TB is growing in your body (MedlinePlus). General symptoms may include:
- chills and fever
- night sweats
- losing weight without trying
- loss of appetite
- weakness or fatigue
Symptoms from TB disease in the lungs may include a cough that lasts longer than 3 weeks, coughing up blood or sputum, and chest pain (MedlinePlus). See also pneumonia risk factors.
Testing and treatment
Your health care provider or local health department can test you with a TB skin test or a TB blood test. If the test shows TB germs, other tests, such as sputum samples and chest x-rays for the lungs, check whether the germs are actively growing (MedlinePlus). You may need a TB test if you have symptoms of TB disease or if you are at high risk because you are more likely to be near someone with TB disease (MedlinePlus).
For adults without symptoms, the US Preventive Services Task Force has a recommendation on screening for latent TB in people at increased risk (USPSTF 2023); see the latent tuberculosis screening check.
The treatment for both inactive TB infection and TB disease is antibiotics. Following the directions for taking the medicine matters, because otherwise the germs could become antibiotic resistant and the TB may become hard to cure (MedlinePlus).
Common questions
Can I get TB from sharing food or a kiss?
No. TB is not spread by touching, kissing, or sharing food or dishes. It spreads through the air (MedlinePlus).
Can latent TB turn into TB disease?
Yes, it could, if your immune system becomes weak for another reason. People with inactive TB need to take medicine to prevent getting sick with TB disease in the future (MedlinePlus).
Does everyone who is infected get sick?
No. Most people who have TB germs in their bodies do not get sick with TB disease; they have an inactive TB infection instead (MedlinePlus).
Sources
- MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine). Tuberculosis. Health topic page, last updated August 26, 2024, accessed November 7, 2026. medlineplus.gov/tuberculosis.html
- US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2023;329(17):1487. www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/latent-tuberculosis-infection-screening
Written and maintained by the uncovermyrisk.com editorial team. We do not have a medical reviewer; every claim links to its primary source above. Last reviewed: 2026-11-07. Spotted an error? See About.