Jason writes:
I have a friend who has tuberculosis infection, not tuberculosis disease. She has a friend though that has tuberculosis disease. If she is spending time with the friend that has tuberculosis disease, and then is in contact with me immediately after, is there a chance that she could spread the tuberculosis to me?
(What is the difference between tuberculosis infection and tuberculosis disease?)
Dear Jason:
Your question is actually a simple one: "How is tuberculosis spread?". Here is an excerpt from the article titled How Tuberculosis Infection Occurs that answers this question:
"Tuberculosis is transmitted from person to person through the air during coughing and sneezing. When a person coughs or sneezes, the droplets containing Mycobacterium tuberculosis enter the air where they can be inhaled by those around them." Read more...
It should also be noted that her friend is probably on antibiotics. A person with tuberculosis disease is contagious from the time the symptoms begin until 2 weeks to two months after antibiotic drug therapy begins.
Therefore, the answer to your question is "no". You need not be concerned with being infected through your friend. However, should your friend's tuberculosis infection ever become active (tuberculosis disease), she, too, will be contagious and can then be able to spread tuberculosis to you. Therefore, it's important that you be aware of the signs and symptoms of tuberculosis, and to get tested annually.
