Is Tuberculosis Contagious?

Tuberculosis, popularly known as 'TB' is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis mainly affects the lungs, but can also infect the central nervous system, the lymphatic system, the circulatory system, the genitourinary system, the gastrointestinal system, bones, joints, and in some rare cases, even the skin. Tuberculosis is airborne in its spreading mechanism.

When a person with tuberculosis, primarily in the lungs, coughs, sneezes, spits or talks, he/she releases tiny droplets of the bacteria into the air, thereby infecting the people around. People with a weak or compromised immune system are more susceptible to getting infected. The most common symptoms of tuberculosis include a bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer (with or without blood or mucus), weight loss, fatigue, fever, etc. As it is airborne, common queries like is tuberculosis contagious and how contagious is tuberculosis, plagues many minds.

Pulmonary Tuberculosis Types: Contagious Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis Pleurisy: Tuberculosis pleurisy can develop in a very short time of catching the infection. This infection type leads to the rupture of granuloma into the pleural space. The pleural space is the space between the lungs and the chest wall. The rupture causes fluids to enter this space and compress the lungs. Shortness of breath and seizure-like chest pains, accompanied with a low grade fever are common symptoms of tuberculosis pleurisy. Tuberculosis pleurisy is contagious in nature.

Primary Tuberculosis Pneumonia: This is a rare form of highly contagious tuberculosis, and is almost like pneumonia in its presentation and symptoms. People with compromised or weak immune systems are more prone to getting infected with primary tuberculosis pneumonia. Young children, the elderly, and patients with immune-suppression infections like HIV/AIDs, etc., are more susceptible to it. The common symptoms include high fever and persistent cough (with or without blood).

Miliary Tuberculosis: This form of tuberculosis occurs in a very short span of contracting the primary infection. It is not easily diagnosed and may need repetitive chest x-rays. The first physical sign of miliary tuberculosis is the appearance of tiny nodules throughout the lungs. Exhibited symptoms include high fever, sweat, gradual weight loss, persistent illness, and a general decline in health. Death may also occur in extreme cases. Children, the elderly, and patients with immune-suppression infections are more at risk for developing miliary tuberculosis.

Cavitary Tuberculosis: A highly contagious form of tuberculosis, the cavitary tuberculosis bacteria has the capacity to cause extensive damage to the upper lobes of the lungs by forming large cavities in it. This form also provides a highly oxygenated environment for the miliary tuberculosis bacteria to thrive in. The infection at times tends to spread into the pleural space as well, increasing complications for the infected person. Symptoms include chronic cough (with or without blood), night sweats, low grade to high fever, gradual weight loss and fatigue.

Laryngeal Tuberculosis: This type of tuberculosis is usually considered as a complication of pulmonary tuberculosis. Contagious and highly dangerous, there has been a surge in laryngeal form of tuberculosis in the last decade. The infection mainly affects the larynx and/or the vocal chord area. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent damage of the vocal chords and can render an infected patient speechless for life.