Yes. TB bacteria can be spread through the air to others who are living, working, or otherwise spending prolonged time with a person who is contagious (coughing or sneezing TB bacteria into the air). Many persons with TB disease are not contagious.

TB is spread through the air from one person to another. The bacteria get into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, shouts, sings, or sneezes. People nearby may breathe in the bacteria and become infected. You may have been exposed to TB if you spent a lot of time near someone with TB disease of the lungs or throat. Most people get TB from a family member, spouse, friend, or close coworker.

TB in the lungs (pulmonary TB) is contagious. It spreads when a person who has active disease exhales air that contains TB-causing bacteria and another person inhales the bacteria from the air.

Yes. It is called cross-contamination. Bacteria in raw meat juices can contaminate foods that have been cooked safely or raw foods that won't be cooked, such as salad ingredients. Bacteria can also be present on equipment, hands, and even in the air. To avoid cross-contamination, wash your hands with soap and hot water before and after handling ground beef to make sure you don't spread bacteria. Don't reuse any packaging materials.

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a disease caused by a germ (called the tubercle bacterium or Mycobacterium tuberculosis). TB usually affects the lungs, but can affect other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes (glands), the bones and (rarely) the brain. Infection with the TB germ may not develop into TB disease.

Both are spread by coughing, sneezing and kissing but they should not be regarded as either water-borne or air-borne. It is a mistake to assume that the viruses and bacteria can be blown in the wind and float in water because they CANNOT live for very long outside the human body. Also see question 4 above.

Drink water from a supply known to be safe. If you have a private water supply (well) it should be tested several times a year Refrigerate or freeze meat as soon as possible after buying it and then thaw frozen meat in the refrigerator, not on the counter When barbecuing or cooking meat such as hamburgers, pork or chicken, the meat should be thoroughly cooked at the centre Anyone known to be infected with E.

Ensuring people with MDR-TB take all their medication and teaching patients to cover their mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing can reduce the risk of spread of MDR-TB. In addition, Directly Observed Therapy should be used to ensure patients complete the recommended course of therapy.

TB spreads through the air. Every time a person with active TB coughs, sneezes or speaks, TB bacteria spread in the atmosphere through his/her breath. Other person living in such an atmosphere (i.e. family members, friends or colleagues) can inhale these bacteria into their lungs. Once inside the human body these bacteria start multiplying in number. They can spread to any organ of the body via blood.

The most important factor is that a patient with active TB disease takes regular treatment and completes the full course. During the period of treatment, sputum examination is done at fixed intervals and an X-ray examination chest may also be needed. If a TB patient is being treated at home, then a few precautions need to be observed to prevent transmission of TB other family members. Whenever a TB patient coughs, sneezes or speaks he/she should cover his mouth and nose with a tissue paper.