Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
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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.