Tuberculosis: Mycobacterial Infection

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Introduction
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that usually affects the lungs but can affect other parts of the body. There are two stages of TB:
Active TB. This means that you have TB symptoms and you are able to spread the infection from person to person (you are contagious).
Latent TB. This means that you do not have any symptoms of TB, and you are not contagious.
It is important to get treatment regardless of which type of TB you have, since latent TB can turn into active TB.
What are the causes?
TB is caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. You can catch the bacteria by:
Breathing in droplets from a cough or sneeze of a person which active TB.
Touching something that has been exposed to the bacteria (has been contaminated) and then touching your mouth, nose,
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Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
Do not go back to work or school until your health care provider approves.
Avoid close contact with others, especially infants and older people, until your health care provider says you are no longer contagious.
General instructions
Tell your health care provider about all of the people you live with or with whom you have close contact. These people may need to be tested for TB.
Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of used tissues as directed by your health care provider.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
You have new symptoms.
You lose your appetite.
You feel nauseous or you vomit.
Your urine is dark yellow.
Your skin or the white part of your eyes turns a yellowish color (jaundice)
Your symptoms get worse or do not go away with