Care for Tuberculosis (TB) at University of Colorado Hospital
Why Choose Treatment for Tuberculosis (TB) at University of Colorado Hospital?
The Infectious Disease Group Practice at University of Colorado Hospital is nationally recognized. Our doctors are board-certified and conduct groundbreaking research. In addition, our multidisciplinary care team has experience in diagnosing and managing a wide range of infectious diseases, including tuberculosis (TB). And we offer patients access to the latest treatments.
What is Tuberculosis (TB)?
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that is caused by bacteria. Most often, the bacteria attack a person’s lungs. This causes:
- Severe cough lasting three weeks or more
- Chest pain
- Coughing up blood or phlegm.
The TB bacteria sometimes attack other areas of the body, including the kidney, spine and brain. Other symptoms can include:
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Chills
- Fever
- Night sweats.
Tuberculosis is spread from one person to another when someone with TB coughs or sneezes. Not everyone infected with TB becomes sick. This is called latent TB infection. People with latent TB infection do not feel sick and cannot spread TB. Only some will get sick with TB. This is called active TB. Treatments for latent and active TB are available. Without proper treatment, active TB can cause death. In 2005, more than 14,000 people in the United States were infected with TB, according to the Centers for Disease Control.