Patient Education

Heart Health Library

Our Health Library does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their heart health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.

Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.

Latent tuberculosis infection

A latent (inactive) tuberculosis (TB) infection is the presence of TB bacteria in a person's lungs even though they do not have symptoms of TB (such as coughing, weight loss, fatigue, or fever).

A person with latent tuberculosis infection has no signs of active TB on a chest X-ray, and no TB-causing bacteria can be found in the mucus from the person's lungs (sputum). The only proof that the person has a TB infection is a positive TB skin test or TB blood test (interferon-gamma release assay or IGRA).

People who have a latent TB infection do not spread the disease to other people. They may need to take medicine to prevent the bacteria from becoming active in the future.

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.