Skip to main content

General TB Information

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.

Basic TB Information

  • Latent TB Infection (LTBI) Factsheet: Designed by MDHHS for patients, this fact sheet explains the difference between TB disease and latent TB infection (LTBI) in simple, non-medical terms.

Resources for Patients

  • Patient Education Materials Series: patient education materials series from CDC covering TB disease, TB infection, tuberculin skin testing, TB contact investigation, TB and HIV coinfection, and TB medicine. Materials available in English, Spanish with English translation, Tagalog with English translation, and Vietnamese with English translation. 
  • Sputum Collection Videos: animated videos created by Rutgers Global TB Institute to give patients instructions for how to produce a good sputum specimen for TB diagnosis. 
  • We Are TB is a supportive community of tuberculosis (TB) survivors, people in treatment, and family members committed to the common goal of eliminating TB. For more information, please see the We Are TB website and flyer
  • TB and Autoimmune Illness is a handout that contains information about TB for people with autoimmune illnesses, specifically those on biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs). This resource was developed by Dr. Jennifer Morse, medical director for Central Michigan District Health Department (DHD), Mid-Michigan DHD, and DHD #10. This resource is also available in several other languages on the multilingual resources page
  • TB Medication Tips for Children is a resource with tips on how to help children take their TB medications. This resource was also developed by Dr. Morse and the last page is from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Also available in Spanish and Vietnamese

 Please visit our multilingual resources page to see translated materials and resources.