Key messages
- Having undernutrition doubles the risk of getting tuberculosis.
- These results apply to the general adult population; the risk for other groups, such as adolescents and children, is uncertain.
What is tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection caused by a bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). It primarily affects the lungs but can also affect other sites in the body. TB spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Some people do not develop symptoms after infection, while others progress with the disease and develop symptoms, such as persistent cough, which may be bloody, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. After a TB diagnosis, this is called TB disease.
The diagnosis of TB disease usually involves a molecular test or culture that detects the bacteria in a bodily secretion (such as sputum) after consultation with a doctor.
TB is a major health concern globally; over 10 million people develop TB, and over 1.5 million die from the disease every year. For more read here