Summary

• Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that can affect any part of your body, most commonly your lungs.
• TB can be latent (where you don’t have any symptoms and are not infectious), or active (where you are unwell).
• The tuberculin skin test or a blood test can check if you have been infected with TB.
• TB can be treated with a combination of antibiotics that you will need to take for at least 6 months.
• The BCG vaccine prevents you becoming very unwell with TB, but it is only recommended in Australia for people at high risk of exposure to TB.

These key facts are from healthdirect.gov.au (accessed 29 Jan 2025). Visit the healthdirect website for more information about tuberculosis.

Relevant Tests

If your doctor suspects you have tuberculosis, they may request one or more tests.

If you are diagnosed with tuberculosis, some of these tests will be used to monitor and manage your condition.

Find information about specific tests:

• Tuberculosis screening tests
• Acid fast bacilli culture
• Sputum culture