One-third of the world’s population is infected with tuberculosis (TB), and efforts are underway to stop the spread of this airborne disease through education and treatment. March 24 is World Tuberculosis Day, and health officials around the globe are reminding people about TB risks, symptoms and treatment options.

“Tuberculosis germs are usually spread when a person with active TB disease symptoms coughs or sneezes,” says Teresa McCormack, a registered nurse in the Occupational Health Department at The Scarborough Hospital. “If another person breathes in those germs, they could get a TB infection. Most people exposed to TB in this way won’t get sick, but there is a risk of developing full-blown TB disease.”

Simply put, a TB infection is when you have TB germs in your body, but they do not grow and do not make you sick. When someone has TB disease, however, the germs keep growing and evolve into the symptoms outlined below.

McCormack says a simple skin test on your arm at your doctor’s office is the best way to test for TB infection. If you do test positive, your doctor might recommend preventive treatment with Isoniazid to keep the infection from progressing to TB disease. The infection can be cured, though it may take six to nine months to kill the TB germs.

Tubeculosis disease requires confirmation by a chest x-ray. Those diagnosed with the disease could be quarantined for a period of two or three weeks while being treated.

Tuberculosis is considered more of a risk for people with previous TB infections, those who are HIV-positive, diabetics, alcoholics or intravenous drug users.

Signs of TB may include:

1. Excessive coughing (for more than three weeks)
2. Coughing up blood or mucus
3. Chest pain when you cough or breathe
4. Weight loss
5. Loss of appetite
6. Sweating at night
7. Fever

If you suspect you might have been exposed to TB, or are exhibiting the symptoms above, contact your family physician.