Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain.
TB bacteria are spread through the air from one person to another. The TB bacteria are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected.
Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.
Is this a reportable illness?
TB disease is reportable, but TB infection in the absence of active disease (i.e., latent TB infection) is NOT reportable In Illinois.
People with TB disease usually are diagnosed in a hospital or a clinic, which reports the case to CDPH.
If you need to report a case of active TB disease, please reach out to (312)-743-9000.
