Tuberculosis Myths
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The Myth
Tuberculosis is hereditary.
The Reality
Tuberculosis is NOT hereditary. It is a disease that is transmitted from person to person through the air during coughing, sneezing, laughing,
singing, shouting, and even talking. When a person coughs or sneezes, the tiny germs enter the air where they can be inhaled by those around them.
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The Myth
If someone coughs I will automatically develop TB.
The Reality
The good news is, TB is not easily caught. You have to be in close contact with someone who has TB for a long time (usually many hours or days).
However, you should be aware of the symptoms of the disease so you can seek treatment as soon as possible.
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The Myth
Tuberculosis causes lung cancer.
The Reality
Lung diseases that cause scarring of the lung tissues, such as tuberculosis, can increase the risk of developing lung cancer. But there are many
more prevalent causes of lung cancer, with smoking being the number one cause. Radon, asbestos, pollution, and many other materials and chemicals
have been known to cause lung cancer.
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The Myth
Tuberculosis disease and Tuberculosis infection mean the same thing.
The Reality
A person infected with a tuberculosis infection is NOT contagious because the germ is inactive or latent; often times, the person does not know he
or she is infected because no signs or symptoms are experienced. A person with tuberculosis disease is affected quite differently. This person has
the active germ within their body; therefore the person is contagious and may be experiencing signs and symptoms.
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The Myth
Tuberculosis infection always develops into Tuberculosis Disease.
The Reality
A tuberculosis infection does not always develop into tuberculosis disease. People with weakened immune systems, such as the very young and very
old, persons with cancer or HIV infection are more likely to develop active disease once infected.
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The Myth
A positive skin test means I have TB.
The Reality
A positive TB skin test only confirms that you have been exposed to tuberculosis and are infected, but not necessarily have disease. You need
medicine to keep from getting sick.
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The Myth
If I don’t have TB symptoms, I don’t have TB.
The Reality
A person with TB disease may have any, all or none of the following symptoms: a cough that will not go away; feeling tired all the time; weight
loss; loss of appetite; fever; coughing up blood; night sweats. These symptoms can also occur with other diseases so it is important to see a doctor
and to let the doctor determine if you have TB. It is also important to remember that a person with TB disease may feel perfectly healthy or may
only have a cough from time to time. If you think you have been exposed to TB, get a TB skin test.
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The Myth
Tuberculosis only occurs in lower socioeconomic groups.
The Reality
Tuberculosis can be contracted by anyone. However, there are some people who are at a greater risk for contracting tuberculosis than others.
Learning what these risk factors are, can reduce a person’s chances of contracting tuberculosis.
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The Myth
Only persons with TB disease need antibiotics.
The Reality
If a person test positive for tuberculosis, the doctor will order a chest x- ray or CT scan. If the chest x-ray is clear (does not indicate), the
doctor may prescribe a 6-month to one-year antibiotic medication plan. This will help to prevent the TB infection from developing into TB disease.
Medications may include: Isoniazid (INH), Rifampin (RM), Pyrazinamide (PZA), Ethambutol (EMB), vitamin B6 - prescribed for alleviating numbness and
tingling in the hands and feet.
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The Myth
Redness in the test area indicates a positive tuberculosis test result.
The Reality
48 to 72 hours after the tuberculosis test is performed, a provider needs to examine the test site to determine if the test site is raised and feels
hard to the touch. It is not the redness the provider is looking for; it is the raised bump. If there is a bump, the provider will measure the size
of the bump and record the measurement.
