Anyone can get TB, but some people are more at risk than others. 

If you fall into any of the categories below, you may need a TB test.

• Have you lived with or spent time with someone who has or had TB disease?
• Do you come from a country where TB disease is common? Or, have you spent one month or more in a country with a high TB rate? (This is any country other than the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and those in Northern or Western Europe).
• Do you live or work in high-risk settings, such as correctional facilities, long term care facilities, nursing homes or homeless shelters?
• Are you a caregiver to someone at an increased risk for TB disease?

Others who are at high risk for TB include:

• Infants, children and/or adolescents exposed to adults who are at increased risk for latent tuberculosis infection or TB disease
• Those who inject illegal drugs
• People who are sick with other diseases that weakens the immune system, such as diabetes, renal disease or HIV infection.

The BCG Vaccine does not prevent TB

Unlike many vaccines that are very good at preventing disease, the Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine is used in many countries with a high burden of TB to prevent TB complications in infants and young children. It does NOT prevent you from getting TB infection if you are exposed to someone with active TB disease. If you have latent TB infection, it does NOT prevent you from developing active TB disease.

Learn more about TB Risks

Download our flyer on TB Risk Factors

CDC TB Risk Factors