Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria called mycobacterium tuberculosis. It affects mainly the lungs (pulmonary tuberculosis), but it can infect other organs of the body. It is an airborne disease and is spread to prone individuals through the inhalation of droplets which disperse in the air when an infected person (with active tuberculosis) sneezes, coughs or laughs.
If not treated immediately and properly, active tuberculosis can lead to serious health complications. Not everyone with TB infection becomes sick and develops symptoms, ie. develops active tuberculosis. In some people, the bacteria can remain dormant and does not cause any symptoms.