Menu Healthy Lifestyle Diseases & Conditions First Aid Symptoms Tests & Procedures Videos Definitions FAQs TuberculosisUpdated: 2017-06-13OverviewTuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs. The bacteria that cause TB are spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes.SymptomsTB is characterized by a cough, weight loss, fatigue, and fever.TreatmentsThe disease is hard to treat. Several types of medications taken for many months are necessary to cure the infection. © 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research(MFMER). All rights reserved. Terms of Use