Tuberculosis FACT SHEETS

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Who is at risk for TB in Canada?

Anyone who has come in contact with someone who has active, infectious TB disease is at risk for getting latent TB infection, which may later develop into active TB disease. Those most at risk usually spend many hours every day with someone who has infectious TB disease. If you have HIV or AIDS you are at the greatest risk of getting latent TB infection and possibly TB disease because your immune system is weakened.

Certain population groups in Canada have an increased risk of latent TB infection. They include:

• people who have come into close contact with individuals with known or suspected TB (e.g., family members or people sharing living spaces);
• people with a history of active TB or an x-ray suggesting they had TB in the past but did not receive adequate treatment;
• people living in communities with high rates of latent TB infection or disease;
• the poor, especially the urban homeless; and
• residents of long-term care and correctional facilities.

People who work with any of these groups (e.g., health care workers, correctional staff) are also at greater risk of latent TB infection.

What should I do if I’m at risk of TB?

If you think you have been close to someone with infectious TB disease, you should get tested for TB. If you have latent TB infection and another medical condition that has made your immune system weak, talk to your doctor or nurse about getting treatment for latent TB infection before it develops into active TB disease.

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