Do all lungs contain tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis may infect any part of the body, but most commonly occurs in the lungs (known as pulmonary tuberculosis). Extrapulmonary TB occurs when tuberculosis develops outside of the lungs, although extrapulmonary TB may coexist with pulmonary TB.

Is tuberculosis dormant in lungs?

Many people who have latent TB infection never develop TB disease. In these people, the TB bacteria remain inactive for a lifetime without causing disease. But in other people, especially people who have a weak immune system, the bacteria become active, multiply, and cause TB disease.

Do most people have TB in their lungs?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by germs that are spread from person to person through the air. TB usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys, or the spine.

Can TB lay dormant in the body?

TB can stay dormant in the body for months or even many years before making a person ill. When TB is dormant the person has no symptoms of TB – this is called ‘latent tuberculosis’.

What is the difference between latent and active 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 does TB become dormant?

your body kills off the TB bacteria so they cannot harm you now or in the future. the TB bacteria make you ill – this is called ‘active TB’ the TB bacteria remain asleep in your body – this is called ‘latent TB’.

Where does TB remain dormant?

What does tuberculosis do to the lungs?

TB is caused by the bacterium M tuberculosis. The infection destroys patients’ lung tissue, causing them to cough up the bacteria, which then spread through the air and can be inhaled by others. The mechanism behind this lung damage is poorly understood.