Can TB Be Contracted From A Person One Is In Contact With For Few Seconds?

Posted on Sat, 16 Sep 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 16 Sep 2017 Answered on

Sat, 7 Oct 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Sir if I passed through a poor person who was very weak for a Just two to five seconds will I get infected with TB
If at all that person is suffering from TB

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
If that person is having severe coughing then chances are high.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
If that poor person is having pulmonary TB and is having severe coughing when you are passing by then possibility of TB infection is high.
If he is not coughing then no need to worry for TB.
Please let me know if he was coughing or not.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (9 minutes later)

Sir while passing he was just sleeping in the open road, when I got doubt I just went and noticed him from a distance he was just lying down there during passing or while seeing him he was just a week person not coughing or sneezing.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry for TB.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
Since he is not coughing or sneezing, no need to worry for TB infection.
How can you be so sure about that person having TB?
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (16 minutes later)

Sir yesterday just saw him he was very weak old man and so confused not sure he was having TB
Just asking for curiosity

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
There is life time risk of 10% of TB in XXXXXXX

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Honestly speaking, when you are in XXXXXXX you are always at risk of TB infection.
There is life time risk of 10 %of TB when you live in XXXXXXX
Do you live India?
Do you have any past history of tuberculosis?
If you are having previous history with tuberculosis then risk increases to 20%.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (30 minutes later)

Ya Sir I live in XXXXXXX no history of TB past.
Is in XXXXXXX every body is infected with TB or mostly

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
We all are infected with TB during our childhood.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern. XXXXXXX is TB endemic country.
So better we all are infected with TB during our childhood.
But not all are developing TB disease.
Only those whose immunity is low, develop disease.
So even if you are infected with TB, you won't develop disease if your immunity is good.
TB infection and TB disease are different things.
Hope I am clear to you.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng