Test your knowledge of tuberculosis, a disease that was once the leading cause of death in the United States. Even though the number of cases has drastically diminished, there were more than 14,000 reported TB cases in the U.S. during 2005, and one death in Eastern Iowa in August 2006 reportedly caused by the disease.

UHL partners with the Iowa Department of Public Health and the University of Iowa College of Medicine to host a teleconference entitled, Tuberculosis: Diagnosed in 24 Hours, from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, November 14. To register, go to the teleconference page.

In the meantime, check out your TB IQ with this quiz. Answer each question True or False, and then click Answers to score your results.

1. TB is caused by germs called bacteria.
   Answer: TRUE
   TB is caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
2. TB is spread from one person to another through the air.
   Answer: TRUE
   TB bacteria are put into the air when a person with active TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, laughs, sings, or sneezes. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected.

   You cannot get TB from

   • Sharing drinking containers, eating utensils, or food
   • Smoking or sharing cigarettes with others
   • Kissing
   • Sharing toothbrushes
   • Shaking hands
   • Touching bed linens or toilet seats

3. Everyone should get tested for TB
   Answer: FALSE
   Not all people need a TB test. You should get a TB test if you are at increased risk. See below for conditions or activities that place persons at increased risk.
   • You have spent time with a person known to have active TB disease or suspected to have active TB disease
   • You have HIV infection or another condition that puts you at high risk for active TB disease
   • You have signs and symptoms of active TB disease
   • You are from a country where active TB disease is very common (most countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Russia)
   • You live somewhere in the United States that active TB disease is more common, such as a homeless shelter, migrant farm camp, prison or jail, and some nursing homes)
   • You inject illegal drugs.
4. Everyone who gets infected with TB bacteria will get sick
   Answer: FALSE
   Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. People who become infected, but are not sick have what is called latent TB infection. People who have latent TB infection do not feel sick, do not have any symptoms, and cannot spread TB to others. But, some people with latent TB infection go on to get TB disease. People who have TB disease do feel sick, have signs and symptoms, and may spread TB germs to others.
5. Some people can get TB easier than others.
   Answer: TRUE
   Anyone can get TB disease, but some people who get infected with TB germs are more likely to get sick. You have a higher chance of getting TB disease if you
   • Have HIV infection.
   • Have been infected with TB germs in the last 2 years.
   • Have other health problems, like diabetes, that make it hard for your body to fight germs.
   • Abuse alcohol or inject illegal drugs.
   • Were not treated correctly for TB infection or disease in the past.
6. TB disease can be cured.
   Answer: TRUE
   TB disease can almost always be cured with medicine. But the medicine must be taken as the doctor or nurse tells you.
7. TB can affect other parts of the body aside from the lungs
   Answer: TRUE
   TB usually affects the lungs but it can spread to other body parts like the kidneys, spine, and brain. TB living in other parts of the body usually cannot be spread to other persons.
8. TB infection and TB disease are the same.
   Answer: FALSE
   TB infection and TB disease are not the same.
   TB infection is a condition in which TB bacteria are alive, but inactive in the body. People with latent TB infection have no symptoms, do not feel sick, cannot spread TB germs to others, and usually have a positive TB test. But they may develop active TB disease if they do not receive treatment.
   TB disease is an illness in which TB bacteria are growing and attacking the body. People with TB disease have symptoms and feel sick. A person with TB disease can spread TB germs to others, and usually has a positive TB test. People with active TB disease can be treated and cured with proper health care.
9. TB bacteria have a difficult time living in fresh air and sunlight.
   Answer: TRUE
   Fresh air and sunlight make it harder for TB bacteria to stay alive. Fresh air scatters the bacteria and sunlight kills them.
   TB bacteria sometimes can live for a few hours in the air, especially in small spaces with no fresh air.
10. If you have a TB infection, you may have to take medicine even if you dont feel sick.
    Answer: TRUE
    If you have TB infection you may have to take medicine even if you feel fine to make sure that you do not get TB disease.