What does it mean to have inactive tuberculosis?

You have a TB infection, but the bacteria in your body are inactive and cause no symptoms. Latent TB , also called inactive TB or TB infection, isn’t contagious. Latent TB can turn into active TB , so treatment is important.

Can inactive tuberculosis become active?

Is inactive TB contagious? Inactive TB is not contagious and cannot be spread to others. TB can only be spread when inactive TB becomes active. Inactive TB can turn into active TB when the person’s immune system can no longer control the TB germ.

What is the difference between active and inactive tuberculosis?

People with latent TB do not have any symptoms and cannot spread TB. If they do not get treatment, however, they may develop active TB disease in the future, spread the disease to others, and feel quite ill. People with active TB disease can be treated and cured if they get medical help.

How long does it take to treat inactive TB?

It can take many months for the medicine to kill the TB germs because they are strong. You will meet with your doctor or nurse one day a week for 12 weeks to receive and take INH-RPT.

Is inactive tuberculosis contagious?

Persons with latent TB infection are not infectious and cannot spread TB infection to others. Overall, without treatment, about 5 to 10% of infected persons will develop TB disease at some time in their lives. About half of those people who develop TB will do so within the first two years of infection.

Can inactive TB be cured?

Treatment for inactive TB infection Inactive TB must be cured to kill the TB bacteria before it becomes active TB and makes you very sick. Inactive TB is often treated with a medicine called isoniazid (INH). Most people are prescribed this medication daily for 9 months.

What are the symptoms of inactive tuberculosis?

The Difference between Latent TB Infection (LTBI) and TB Disease

a bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer.
pain in the chest.
coughing up blood or sputum.
weakness or fatigue.
weight loss.
no appetite.
chills.
fever.

Is inactive TB contagious?

What is the treatment for inactive TB?

A course of antibiotic medicine will treat latent TB. You may be given Rifampicin and Isoniazid for three months (which may be together in a tablet called Rifinah) or Isoniazid by itself for six months. Your doctor or TB specialist nurse will talk you through the treatment and answer any questions you may have.

Is it worth treating latent TB?

For this reason, people with latent TB infection should be treated to prevent them from developing TB disease. Treatment of latent TB infection is essential to controlling TB in the United States because it substantially reduces the risk that latent TB infection will progress to TB disease.

Should I be worried about latent TB?

There is no need to be worried. Latent TB can be treated before it can cause active TB, and all testing and treatment for TB is free and confidential for everyone.