What is a characteristic of tuberculosis disease in terms of contagion?

Tuberculosis (TB) is characterized by its highly contagious nature, particularly when it is in the active form. The bacteria that cause TB, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, can be spread through the air when an infectious person coughs, sneezes, or even speaks. Individuals nearby may then inhale these bacteria, leading to potential infection.

In terms of its spread, TB primarily affects the lungs but can also infect other parts of the body. While a person may have a latent TB infection, where the bacteria remain inactive and non-contagious, active TB is a serious public health issue due to its ability to spread rapidly. Understanding this aspect of TB is crucial for public health measures and for anyone involved in healthcare, including dental hygienists, as they must take precautions when treating patients who may have active TB.

The other options do not accurately reflect the nature of tuberculosis. For example, stating that it is non-infectious fails to acknowledge the contagiousness of the active disease, while the claim that it becomes infectious only after 1 year is misleading; it can become infectious much sooner than that. Lastly, while TB is treatable with appropriate antibiotics, suggesting it cannot be treated disregards the effective treatment options available for those diagnosed.