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What is HIV?

Treating HIV

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Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (said: tuh-bur-kew-LOW-sis), known as TB, is an illness caused by a type of bacteria. These bacteria often infect the lungs. They can also get into your blood. When they do, they can infect almost any part of your body.

What you should know about TB:

  • It can be spread when a person with TB sneezes, coughs, or spits
  • Symptoms include:
    • A cough that lasts for more than 2 weeks
    • Coughing up fluid, sometimes with blood
    • Chest pains
  • Treatment (often 4 medicines taken together) usually works well
    • Treatment may last for about 6 months
    • Symptoms can get better in 3 to 4 weeks after treatment starts
    • All medicine must be taken, even if symptoms go away. Not taking it all can make TB worse and cause serious health problems

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