Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body such as the brain, spine, and kidneys. TB is transmitted through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, and someone else inhales the bacteria.

Symptoms of TB include coughing for more than two weeks, chest pain, coughing up blood or sputum, weakness or fatigue, weight loss, fever, night sweats, and chills. However, some people with TB may not experience any symptoms, which is known as latent TB infection.

TB can be diagnosed through a combination of medical history, physical examination, chest X-rays, and laboratory tests such as sputum tests or blood tests. Treatment typically involves a combination of antibiotics taken over several months. It's important to complete the entire course of treatment to ensure the infection is fully eradicated and to prevent the development of drug-resistant strains of TB.

Preventing the spread of TB involves identifying and treating infected individuals promptly, promoting good hygiene practices, ensuring adequate ventilation in enclosed spaces, and vaccination with the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, which can help prevent severe forms of TB in children.