Health Tip: Risk Factors for Developing Tuberculosis

Infection with tuberculosis bacteria initially can cause no symptoms, but it may eventually become active TB.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mentions these risk factors that can increase the likelihood of TB infection:

• Being infected with HIV.
• Having other health conditions that affect the body's ability to combat TB, such as diabetes.
• Having a substance abuse problem.
• Having been improperly treated for TB infection in the past.