Mode of Transmission of Tuberculosis

The mode of transmission of Tuberculosis (TB) is through the air from one person to another.

When a person with active Tuberculosis (TB) sneezes or coughs, he or she releases an aerosol with thousands of particles into the air surrounding him or her. The bacilli get distributed in the air and enter the breathing space of the other people in the vicinity when they breathe the air. 

When a person breathes in tuberculosis bacteria (TB), the bacteria can settle in the lungs and begin to grow. From there, they can move through the blood to other parts of the body, such as the kidney, spine, and brain. Tuberculosis in the lungs or throat can be infectious. This means that the bacteria can be spread to other people.

Tuberculosis in other parts of the body, such as the kidney or spine, is usually not infectious. People with active Tuberculosis (TB) disease are most likely to spread it to people they spend time with every day. This includes family members, friends, and coworkers.

This is more so, in case of undiagnosed Tuberculosis, when the people living with them do not have any knowledge and hence are not taking any precautions.

Next page: Diagnosis of tuberculosis

Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: July 12, 2011