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TB Infection simply means that the individual has the bacteria present in his or her body and may develop TB in their lifetime. A person who only has TB infection cannot spread TB. A person with TB disease gets sick (has symptoms of the disease) and can spread the disease. An individual is capable of infecting others with M. tuberculosis only when the disease is active. Understanding the difference between TB infection and TB disease is fundamental in controlling TB. In the US, 90% of infected individuals will remain free from developing TB disease in their lifetime. Five percent (5%) of recently infected individuals will develop TB disease within 1-2 years after infection. The other 5% will develop TB later in life. Therefore, the greatest risk of developing TB disease is within the first 1-2 years after infection.
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