Is tuberculosis a contagious disease?

Answer 1

< Contagiousness properties regarding whether Tuberculosis is contagious:
Contagious overall?: Yes

Contagious by droplet?: Yes

Contagious airborne?: Yes

Contagious from food?: Yes, rarely.

Contagious by physical contact (non-sexual)?: No

Contagious by handshake?: No

Contagious from bedding?: No

Contagious from clothing?: No

Contagious from toilet seats?: No

Answer 2

Please see the webpages for more details on Tuberculosis, Pulmonary tuberculosis, disseminated tuberculosis, Tuberculous arthritis, Tuberculous adenitis (Scrofula) and Tuberculous pleural effusion.
Those with HIV are 100 times more likely to develop TB than other members of the population. Other people who are at risk from the disease include those with diabetes, the malnourished, alcoholics, and IV drug users.
Another aspect in the resurgence of the disease is the development of drug resistant strains which now affect up to 50 million people.Treating patients with drug resistant TB is beyond the pocket of many developing countries. The cost of treatment can rise from $2000 per patient with non-resistant TB to $250,000 for multi-drug resistant TB.
The multi drug resistant strains are often fatal and have mortality rates that are comparable with those which existed before the development of antibiotics.

Answer 3

YES! It's highly contagious & an airborne disease. You can get a TB test done at the doctor's or Urgent Care clinic. A false positive can result if you're allergic to the serum used. A repeat test needs to be done to ensure that you don't have TB.

Answer 4

Yes, but it can take prolonged exposure before your chances of acquiring the disease are any good. See reference 1. From reference 2:

"TB is transmitted by the inhalation of airborne organisms. Infectious particles are generated when individuals with pulmonary TB, (e.g., individuals with infection involving lung tissues, respiratory airways, or larynx), cough, sneeze, or speak. Procedures, such as cough induction or bronchoscopy, are associated with an increased generation of infectious, aerosolized particles. Once infectious particles are aerosolized, they are spread throughout a room or building by air currents and can be inhaled by another individual."

Another form of TB is where it infects the lymph nodes. This form is not communicable.

Answer 5

Absolutely. There used to be TB hospitals to isolate people inflicted with this fatal disease until it was nearly eliminated in the US. Be warned, the occurrence rate has increased in recent years.

Answer 6

Very contagious....Medical personnel are required to get a TB check biannually in most states.

Answer 7

extremely contagious. If you're ever around someone who has it, your doctor may want to do x-rays to see if you've contracted it. It is spread through the air by coughing.

Answer 8

YES - it's an airborne disease - you can catch it from somebody sneezing, coughing or shaking hands. If you've been exposed, seek treatment immediately!

Answer 9

Yes. More prevelent in dirty crowded conditions and hospitals. Can remain dormant in the body for along time.

Answer 10

Most definitely