What should you know about asymptomatic TB?

Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria that can remain in the body without causing cough, fever, weight loss, or other obvious illness. This is often described as inactive or latent TB infection. The person may feel well and usually does not have the features of active disease, but the infection can become active later, particularly when immune protection is weakened.

A positive screening result does not by itself show where the bacteria are or whether they are active. A clinician may review your health history, examine you, and arrange a chest image or other tests. Tell them about previous TB treatment, close contact with someone who had TB, pregnancy, immune conditions, and medicines that affect immunity.

Arrange a medical review even if you feel completely well. Take any test report with you and mention recent travel, residence, or work in settings where TB screening is commonly required. Do not start, stop, or share antibiotics without advice; TB medicines are selected as a planned combination or course after active disease has been considered.

If treatment for inactive infection is offered, ask how to take it, which side effects need a call, and how follow-up will be organised. Keep appointments and report new symptoms promptly. People who may have active TB need additional assessment and may need precautions around close contacts.

Seek prompt medical advice if you develop a cough that persists, coughing blood, fever, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, marked tiredness, or swollen lymph nodes. Contact a clinician sooner if you have a weakened immune system or have recently been exposed to TB.

Get emergency help for severe breathing difficulty, blue or grey lips, confusion, fainting, or coughing a large amount of blood. Chest tightness can have many causes; severe or sudden chest symptoms should be assessed urgently rather than attributed to TB.

Ask: Does my result suggest infection, active disease, or an uncertain result? Do I need a chest image or sputum testing? Should household or workplace contacts be assessed? What treatment options fit my health history, and how will side effects be monitored?