About Tuberculosis

To learn more about TB visit: TB Fact Sheet

For more information about World TB Day visit: World TB Day

• TB is leading cause of death among those who have HIV/AIDS.
• In 2008 almost 1.8 million people died from TB, including 500,000 people with HIV.  This is equal to 4,900 deaths a day.
• About 1 in 10 persons infected with TB bacilli will become sick with active TB in their lifetime; people with HIV are at much greater risk.
• More than 2 billion people, equal to one-third of the world's population are infected with TB bacilli, the microbes that cause TB.
• TB kills more youth and adults than any other infectious disease.
• TB is a contagious disease, but only people that are sick with TB of the lungs are infectious.
• Like the common cold, TB spreads through the air when infectious people cough, spit, talk or sneeze.

The 2009 National Tuberculosis Surveillance System reported the following:

• Georgia ranked 9th among states reporting TB cases in the U.S.
• Georgia reported 415 TB cases; of these, 82% were among minorities.
• Atlanta ranked 9th among large cities reporting TB cases in the U.S.