Can active TB become latent?

[hottchoc]

A question which gets brought up often and would love to know the answer, is...

If you have active TB, can your body’s defences get on top of it so it becomes latent?

[HelenC Partner TB Alert]

Hi hotchoc,

Yes, TB can move between active and latent states, and therefore between periods where it is and then is not infectious (for pulmonary TB). This is why it is such a scourge in parts of the world where people do not have easy or affordable access to healthcare.

However, TB is a progressive disease so the most common trajectory is for the disease to become increasingly more severe as time goes on - with deadly consequences if left untreated.

Best wishes,

Helen

[hottchoc in reply to HelenC]

Yes, that’s what I thought. Thank you Helen!