Tuberculosis (TB) is spread through the air from one person to another. When a person with active TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, sings, or laughs, they release TB bacteria into the air in tiny droplets. People nearby can breathe in these bacteria and become infected

. Key points about TB transmission:

• TB spreads mainly through prolonged, close contact with someone who has active TB in their lungs or throat. It is more likely to spread in indoor or poorly ventilated spaces

• TB is not spread by shaking hands, sharing food or drink, touching bed linens or toilet seats, sharing toothbrushes, or kissing

• People with latent TB infection carry the bacteria but do not have symptoms and cannot spread TB to others. Only those with active TB disease can transmit the bacteria

• TB bacteria can remain suspended in the air for several hours, especially in enclosed spaces

In summary, TB is an airborne infectious disease transmitted when a person with active lung or throat TB expels bacteria into the air, and others inhale these bacteria, typically requiring close and prolonged exposure