TB: About Active TB Disease and Latent TB Infection (LTBI)

Chest X-ray showing Tuberculosis (Tb)

Active tuberculosis (TB) disease

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria can attack any part of the body, but usually attack the lungs. People who are infected with TB do not always feel sick.

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI)

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. Even better, people who have latent TB infection, but are not yet sick, can take medicine so they will never develop active TB disease.

Frequently asked questions

Resources

Department of Health Services resources

CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) resources

Other resources


Questions about TB?

Contact us at dhswitbprogram@dhs.wisconsin.gov
Phone: 608-261-6319 ǀ Fax: 608-266-0049

Last revised December 13, 2024