tuberculosis (TB), infectious disease that is caused by the tubercle bacillus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In most forms of the disease, the bacillus spreads slowly and widely in the lungs, causing the formation of hard nodules (tubercles) or large cheeselike masses that break down the respiratory tissues and form cavities in the lungs. Tuberculosis (TB), also known colloquially as the " white death ", or historically as consumption, [3] is a contagious disease usually caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) bacteria. [4] . Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body. [1] . Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious airborne disease affecting the lungs and other organs. Reviewed by a board-certified infectious disease healthcare provider. Tuberculosis (TB) germs spread through the air from one person to another. TB germs can get into the air when someone with active TB disease coughs, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these germs and become infected. People with inactive TB, also called latent TB infection, cannot spread TB germs to others.
