What is TB? “TB” is short for a disease called tuberculosis. TB germs are passed through the air when someone who is sick with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, speaks, laughs, sings, or sneezes. Anyone near the sick person can breathe TB germs into their lungs.

Common symptoms are feelings of sickness or weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats. Productive coughing (coughing up a mixture of mucus, irritants and other substances from the lungs) and chest pain are possible symptoms of TB in the lungs.

If you have been around someone who has TB disease, you should go to your doctor or your local health department for tests.

Additional information can be find by clicking the links on the right under "Tuberculosis Information" or visit the following websites.

• Texas Department of State Health Services
• Center for Disease Control