Topic outline
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This factsheet provides key information about tuberculosis (TB) for communities.
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Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious but preventable and treatable infectious disease.
It is spread through the air when someone with TB disease of the lungs coughs, sneezes, laughs or talks for an extended period of time.
TB Infection: Individuals have TB bacteria in their body, but they do not have symptoms and they cannot spread TB to anyone else.
TB Disease: Individuals have symptoms and are able to spread the disease after prolonged close contact.
TB infection can sometimes become TB disease.
Due to social, health and economic factors, some communities have been more affected than others, such as:
- Inuit, First Nations and Métis populations
- People born outside of Canada
Not everyone in these communities is more likely to get TB, and TB can also affect people who are not part of these communities.
Fear, stigma and misconceptions about TB persists.
These challenges can delay care. Having open conversations about TB, and recognizing and respecting cultural values, helps break down these barriers and improve outcomes.
Learn more at Canada.ca/Tuberculosis