Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium. While it can affect any part of your body, it usually attacks your lungs. TB is spread through the air. If someone with TB of the lungs or throat coughs or sneezes, people nearby who breathe in the bacteria may get TB. Some people who breathe in the bacteria may not have symptoms and can't give it to other people. This is called latent TB infection. If the body can't stop the bacteria from growing, people develop TB disease. If this happens and the TB is in the lungs, it can cause several symptoms:

* Bad cough (with blood or phlegm)
* Chest pain
* Fatigue
* Weight loss
* Loss of appetite
* Chills
* Fever
* Sweating at night

Among all women with TB, 81 percent of TB cases affect minority women. Of these cases, 26 percent are among Asian American/Pacific Islander women (second only to African American women, who make up 30 percent of TB cases among minority women).

Publications

1. Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders and Lung Disease (Copyright © ALA) - This fact sheets discusses the prevalence of lung disease within the Asian American and Pacific Islander populations.

2. Minority Lung Disease Data (Copyright © ALA) - This publication describes the higher infection rates among minority groups, foreign-born persons and those already infected with HIV. Prevention methods are given.

3. Questions and Answers About TB (Tuberculosis) - This booklet gives thorough yet easy to understand explanations of Tuberculosis (TB), how it is spread, and discusses Latent TB Infection, and TB Disease, providing important information that patients need to know to prevent problems.

4. TB Elimination: Now Is the Time! - This brochure is designed to educate the general public about the status of the TB epidemic in the U.S. with general TB information, HIV-TB co-infection, TB's disproportionate burden on minorities, and what needs to be done to eliminate TB in the U.S.

5. Translated Tuberculosis Educational Materials (Copyright © MDH) - These translated brochures discuss tuberculosis disease and infection, as well as tests for and treatment of tuberculosis. Translated materials are available in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Cambodian, Hmong, Lao, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tibetan, and Vietnamese.

6. Tuberculosis - This fact sheet contains information on TB rise in the US, drug resistance, cause of resurgence, TB organism, transmission, infection, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and vaccines.

Organizations
1. American Lung Association

2. CDC National Prevention Information Network