About TB
What is tuberculosis?
- Tuberculosis, often referred to as TB, is a curable infectious disease. It is caused by the tubercle bacillus, also known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis or M. tuberculosis.
TB bacteria have a thick waxy coat and are slow-growing. They can survive in the body for many years in a dormant or 'sleeping' state. Individuals can therefore be infected but show no signs and symptoms of TB disease. This is known as 'latent' TB. When the bacilli are awake and dividing people are said to have ‘active TB’.TB can affect any part of the body. It is however most common in the lungs (pulmonary TB) and lymph glands.
© 2006 NE London TB Network. All rights reserved.
Homerton Hospital. London E9 6SR
Tel: 020 8510 7670 | Fax: 020 8510 7731
E-mail: william.roberts@newhampct.nhs.uk
