Question

Difference between latent and active tuberculosis

Answer 1

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$\huge\mathbb{LATENT \: TB-}$$<b>While a person with latent TB has no symptoms and is not infectious, a tuberculin skin test or blood test for TB — called the interferon-gamma release assay, or IGRA — will be positive, showing that the person has not only been exposed to tuberculosis, but has a latent (or "occult") infection with the bacteria that causes tuberculosis. (2,5) “You have a ticking bomb waiting for your immune system to get weak,” says Hayan Yacoub, MD, internal medicine practitioner at Austin Regional Clinic in Texas. Latent TB can also complicate treatment for potential health issues that happen later in life, he says. That’s why it’s important to identify and treat latent TB.$

$\huge\mathbb{ACTIVE \:TB-}$In active tuberculosis, the bacteria multiply in the body, causing noticeable symptoms. This is also when the disease can spread to others. The difference between active and latent TB is the amount of organisms in the body, according to Dr. Reichman.

The most common kind of tuberculosis, pulmonary tuberculosis, typically causes the following symptoms: (5,10)

Breathing difficulty

Chest pain

Coughing, sometimes with phlegm

Fatigue

Fever

Night sweats

Weakness

Weight loss

Wheezing