Active Vs. Inactive Tuberculosis
The World Health Organization describes Tuberculosis (TB) as an infectious disease which is spread through airborne transfer. TB mainly affects the lungs and can be active or inactive.
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Inactive Tuberculosis
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Also known as latent TB, inactive TB exists if the bacteria that cause TB (mycobacterium tuberculosis) are present in the body and the immune system prevents the bacteria from growing. Even though the bacteria are still alive in the body, this inactive stage is non-infectious.
Symptoms of Inactive Tuberculosis
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In many cases there are no signs of infection and the disease may only be identified if it later becomes active.
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Active Tuberculosis
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If the TB bacteria are present in the body but the immune system cannot prevent the bacteria from growing, the disease is contagious. This is known as active TB, and sufferers can infect others.
Symptoms of Active Tuberculosis
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Signs of active TB include night sweats, abnormal x-rays, abnormal sputum and severe weight loss.
Disclaimer
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The above information is not meant to be a substitute for proper medical assessment and professional advice should always be sought.
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of tracy ducasse
