Symptoms may include a bad cough that lasts over three weeks; coughing up blood or phlegm; or chest pain. Other symptoms may include weakness or fatigue; weight loss; chills or fever; and night sweats. People with active TB disease can be treated and often cured if they seek medical help.

Left untreated, each person with active TB disease will infect on average between 10 and 15 people every year. Fortunately, even people with latent TB infection can take medicine so that they will not develop active TB disease.

People who have HIV/AIDS along with TB infection are much more likely to develop active TB. Someone who is HIV-positive and infected with TB is many times more likely to become sick with TB than someone infected with TB bacteria who is HIV-negative. Worldwide, TB is a leading cause of death among people who are HIV-positive.

If you think you have been exposed to someone with TB disease, you should contact your doctor or local health department about getting a TB skin test.

• Tuberculosis Elimination (CDC)
• TB Skin Test
• US Rates and Fact Sheets (CDC)


TB Programs in Colorado:
• Tuberculosis Programs in Colorado
• TB Cases in Colorado - by County
• TB Cases in Colorado - Report

En Español / In Spanish:
• Información Sobre TB

Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis:
Multi drug resistant TB (MDR TB) is resistant to at least two of the best TB drugs, isoniazid and rifampin. These are considered first-line drugs and are most often used to treat people with active TB.

The most important thing a person can do to prevent the spread of MDR TB is to take all of their medications exactly as prescribed by their health care provider. No doses should be missed and treatment should not be stopped early.

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