How is Tuberculosis (TB) spread?
TB is spread through the air from one person to another. The bacteria are spread when a person with active TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs or sneezes. People nearby can breathe in the TB germs that are in the air and may become infected.


You CANNOT get TB from sharing a drinking glass with a person who has TB or touching a doorknob after someone with TB has used it. Also, once a person with TB is taking medication for treatment, he or she quickly becomes non-contagious. Additionally, once treatment has begun, he or she can quickly resume their normal life without fear of spreading TB to others.

Show All Answers

1. What is a communicable disease?
2. Who is responsible for reporting a communicable disease?
3. What is Avian influenza?
4. What is seasonal influenza?
5. What is influenza (the flu)?
6. What is pandemic influenza?
7. What are the signs and symptoms of pandemic influenza?
8. How is pandemic influenza different from seasonal influenza?
9. How is pandemic influenza different from avian influenza?
10. How is pandemic influenza spread?
11. How can I protect myself and my family from getting sick during a pandemic?
12. How likely is it that we will see a pandemic flu in our lifetime?
13. How will we know when a new influenza virus is identified?
14. What are federal, state and local public health agencies doing to prepare for pandemic influenza?
15. What is Tuberculosis?
16. How is Tuberculosis (TB) spread?
17. What is latent Tuberculosis (TB) or (LTBI)?
18. What is active Tuberculosis (TB)?
19. Who is at risk for getting Tuberculosis (TB)?
20. How are people tested for Tuberculosis (TB)?