Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious and potentially life-threatening disease transmitted through the air. While it can affect any part of the body (such as the brain, the kidneys or the spine), TB usually affects the lungs. When first infected with the TB germ, people usually do not feel sick or have any symptoms, which is latent TB infection. However, they may develop active TB disease in the future, so treating the infection is important. Tuberculosis once was the leading cause of death in the United States; today in Illinois, less than 30 deaths a year are attributed to tuberculosis and the number of cases in the state has fallen more than 40 percent in the past 10 years. There are between one and four cases of active TB in Kankakee County each year.

More information:

What is Tuberculosis?

CDC Tuberculosis Resource

Mayo Clinic Tuberculosis Resource

World Health Organization Tuberculosis Resource