Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious disease that can be very serious if not treated. TB can stay dormant in your body for decades, but it’s contagious only when you have active symptoms.
Tuberculosis (TB) is spread through the air from one person to another and usually causes respiratory symptoms similar to the flu or pneumonia.
You can have it in your body before developing symptoms, which is known as dormant (latent) TB. When symptoms develop, it is considered active TB.
While TB can be dormant for many years, it usually only becomes active within 2 years of the initial infection.
The incubation period for developing active tuberculosis ranges from several weeks to 2 years . This timeline can be important in considering global health resources.
Read on to learn more about the incubation period for tuberculosis.
Understanding the incubation period of tuberculosis
If you’re going to develop active tuberculosis , it’s most likely to cause symptoms shortly after you’ve been exposed. According to a 2018 review , the average incubation period ranges from a few weeks to 2 years.
Beyond the 2-year point, active infection is rare. People developing active TB more than 2 years after exposure usually had a weaker immune system and coexisting medical condition.
This incubation period can be important globally. In areas with a high TB burden, the focus can be on treating latent TB. This would reduce the risk of a TB epidemic in high risk areas.
How long is tuberculosis contagious?
Tuberculosis is only contagious when it’s in an active state. This means that symptoms of TB need to be present in order for the condition to be contagious.
Active tuberculosis is considered contagious for a few weeks after you have started treatment. After the first 2 weeks of treatment, negative testing, and reduced symptoms, TB is unlikely to spread.
However, people with TB should speak with their doctor about specific guidelines.
Safety measures to prevent transmission
Tuberculosis is contagious, but only when it’s in an active state. It can be spread through the air from one person to another. A form of the disease called cutaneous TB can also be spread through direct contact.
People who spend time daily with someone with active TB symptoms may be at increased risk. This includes friends, family, and coworkers.
Ways to prevent an active TB infection from spreading include:
- wearing a mask around anyone with an active TB infection
- keeping up with your treatment plan
- minimizing indoor time near someone with active TB
- ensuring good air circulation at home and work stations
- using HEPA air filters
- practicing good cough etiquette
- getting regular TB tests if you work in a high risk setting such as healthcare
- starting preventive testing and prophylactic treatment for TB if you’re in a household with an active infection
Symptoms and early detection of tuberculosis
Tuberculosis symptoms may be mild and often go undetected. This can lead to treatment delays and unintended transmissions.
Common symptoms of tuberculosis include:
- prolonged cough
- weight loss
- weakness
- fever
- chest pain
- night sweats
Early detection can improve someone’s outcome and reduce the possibility of other people developing the condition. While early detection is not always possible, identifying and testing people who have had close contact with someone with the condition may help find and diagnose TB early.
Tests used to diagnose TB include:
Treatment and management of tuberculosis
Because TB is a bacterial infection, healthcare professionals treat it with a combination of antibiotics. The course of antibiotics for active tuberculosis can last anywhere from 4 to 9 months .
Shorter regimens help you get through treatment faster, but a doctor will choose the regimen based on any existing medical conditions and potential for medication interactions.
The antibiotics usually used to treat tuberculosis include:
It’s important to complete all the antibiotics in a treatment course in order to fully treat tuberculosis.
The bottom line
Tuberculosis is a contagious bacterial infection that can be very serious if not treated. Proper treatment can reduce the chance of symptoms getting worse or the condition spreading to other people.
The incubation period for tuberculosis ranges from a few weeks to 2 years. Active infection beyond that point is rare, but it can happen in people with weakened immune systems or coexisting health conditions.
Completing your full course of antibiotic treatment is critical to killing all of the TB bacteria.
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