Tuberculosis (Infection)

Infectious agent: :  Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Description of illness:  Tuberculosis Infection (TBI) is characterized by a positive test such as an interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) or a tuberculin skin test (TST) in the absence of symptoms or an abnormal chest X-ray.  A TBI diagnosis involves a full clinical work-up by a doctor to make sure that TB disease is not present.  Fortunately, TBI is not infectious and can be treated with less medication than TB disease.  It is important to take preventive treatment even though you are not currently symptomatic because the infection could turn into active disease if you become immunosuppressed or as you age.