TB 101 For Health Care Workers

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Lesson 2: TB Transmission and the Development of TB Disease

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TB Transmission (1/2)

Page 2 of 17

TB is spread through the air from person to person. Tiny particles containing M. tuberculosis (TB bacteria) may be expelled into the air when a person with infectious TB of the lungs, airway, or larynx:

People nearby may breathe in these TB bacteria (illustrated by the person on the right) and become infected.

These particles, called airborne droplet nuclei, can remain in the air for several hours, depending on the environment.

TB Transmission GIF

The dots in the air represent airborne droplet nuclei spreading through the air.