Tuberculosis, also called TB, is a serious infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs.
TB is curable, but it can be serious if it isn’t treated with antibiotics.
Access to TBC dispensaries and hospitals, diagnostic investigations for suspected TBC cases, as well as TBC treatment and monitoring, are free of charge for everyone in Romania, regardless of insurance status.
How is tuberculosis transmitted?
Tuberculosis can be transmitted through the air when a person who is ill coughs, sneezes, speaks or sings, releasing tiny droplets that contain the bacteria.
Other people can become infected if they inhale these droplets, which may reach the lungs.
TBC is not usually spread by shaking hands, sharing food/drinks, or touching surfaces.
- Living with somebody who has active TBC disease and/or living in a community identified as being high risk of TBC.
- Living or working in places where people live close together, such as nursing homes, or having prolonged indoor exposure in poorly ventilated spaces.
- Living in, or travelling to, a country where TBC is common.
- Working in healthcare, especially in TB hospitals
TB – from infection to disease
- Many people are infected with TB (latent tuberculosis infection) without having symptoms or being contagious
- TB disease occurs when TB bacilli move from the latent to the active state, multiply in the body and cause symptoms
- People with weakened immune systems—especially people living with HIV—are at much higher risk of developing TBC disease if they are infected.