A person can have Latent TB Infection(LTBI) for years without
any signs of disease. But if that person's immune system gets
weak, the LTBI can quickly turn into TB disease. Also, if a person
who has a weak immune system spends time with someone with active TB disease,
he or she may become infected with TB bacteria and quickly develop
TB disease.
Since HIV infection weakens the immune system, people with LTBI
and HIV infection are at very high risk of developing TB disease.
All HIV-infected people should be given a TB test to find
out if they have LTBI. If they have LTBI, they need to start treatment
as soon as possible to prevent them from developing TB disease.
If they have TB disease, they must take medicine to cure the disease.
TB disease can be prevented or cured in people with HIV infection.
