When you are first infected with the TB germ, you don’t usually get sick right away.

Sometimes an individual’s immune system may kill the TB germs.

If the immune system doesn't kill the TB bacteria, the bacteria can remain alive but inactive in the body.

This is called TB infection. A person with TB infection is not sick and cannot spread TB to others.

However, the TB germ can become active at any time especially if the immune system weakens.

Adults with TB infection have about a 10 % chance of developing TB disease during their lifetime. Serious illness, diabetes, poor eating habits, heavy drinking, becoming old, are all things that can cause the immune system to weaken causing the TB germ to become active.  Sometimes people with TB infection take special antibiotics to prevent the TB germ from becoming active. TB prevention medications are provided free of charge.