Most people with TB
infection are not sick
and cannot spread the
infection to others.
However, they are at
risk of developing
active TB if their
immune system
weakens.
The chance of getting
active TB disease is
higher if you:
A tuberculin skin test
(TST) or interferon-
gamma release assay
(IGRA) can be used to
identity people with
infection.
It is important
to complete the
full course of TB
preventive treatment
so that it is effective.
• are in close contact
with a TB patient
• are living with HIV
Other high-risk groups
include people receiving
dialysis, who have silicosis,
who are receiving
haematological
transplantation or anti-TNF
treatment, healthcare
workers, migrants from high
TB burden countries, people
who use drugs, who are in
prison or homeless people.
Preventive treatment for
tuberculosis infection
TB preventive treatment can stop infection
from turning into active disease.
What is TB infection?
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria and spreads
through air and can infect anyone. Sometimes,
a person gets infected with bacteria but they
do not fall ill with TB immediately. In this case,
the TB bacteria remain inactive in the body
and the person is said to have TB infection.
People with TB infection do not show any
signs or symptoms of TB.
Am I at risk?
You can be infected with TB bacteria even
if you are not ill. In fact, as many as 1 in 4
people in the world are estimated to have TB
infection, most of whom are well.
Some people who are infected will go on to
develop TB disease.
Do I need TB
preventive
treatment?
If you are at risk then your healthcare provider will
first rule out active TB disease before assessing if
you need TB preventive treatment.
What are the
treatment options?
Today, there are many preventive treatment options
available. New, shorter treatment options mean that
people can be protected from TB for many years with
treatment lasting only 1 or 3 months versus more
than 6 months in the past.
Protect yourself and your loved ones!