Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant State Practice Exam

A person with TB disease?

1. Can spread it to others

2. Does not show any symptoms

3. Cannot infect others

4. Has what is called latent TB

The correct answer is: Can spread it to others

A person with TB disease can indeed spread the infection to others. Tuberculosis (TB) is primarily an airborne illness caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. When someone who has active TB disease coughs, sneezes, or speaks, they can release tiny droplets into the air that contain the bacteria. If another person inhales these droplets, they may become infected with TB. In contrast to latent TB, where the person is infected but does not exhibit any symptoms and cannot spread it to others, active TB disease typically presents symptoms such as a persistent cough, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. The ability of individuals with active TB to transmit the disease is a key concern for public health, which is why those diagnosed with active TB are often isolated until they are no longer infectious, typically after a few weeks of proper treatment. Understanding the contagious nature of active TB is crucial for preventing outbreaks and protecting public health.