<s>[INST] What is TB disease? [/INST] If the immune system can’t stop TB germs from growing, the TB germs begin to multiply in the body and cause TB disease. The TB germs attack the body, and if this occurs in the lungs, the TB germs can create a hole in the lung. Some people develop TB disease soon after becoming infected (within weeks) before their immune system can fight the TB germs. Other people have latent TB infection and may get sick years later, when their immune system becomes weak for another reason. Treating latent TB infection (LTBI) is effective in preventing TB disease.

People with TB disease in the lungs or throat can be infectious, meaning that they can pass TB germs to their family, friends, and others around them. People with TB in other parts of their bodies, such as the kidneys or spine, are usually not infectious.

People with TB disease are most likely to spread it to people they spend time with every day. This includes family members, friends, coworkers, or schoolmates.

People with TB disease need to take several medicines when they start treatment. After taking TB medicine for several weeks, a doctor will be able to tell TB patients when they are no longer able to spread TB germs to others. Most people with TB disease will need to take TB medicine for at least 6 months to be cured. Source: CDC. Link: https://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/faqs/tb-qa.htm. Field: Lung Disease. Disease: Tuberculosis </s>