Tuberculosis TB

What is tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic bacterial infection that usually infects the lungs, although other parts of the body are sometimes involved. There are two stages of TB: infection and disease.

• One-third of the world’s population is thought to be infected with TB.
• Only 5 to 10 percent of the U.S. population tests positive for TB.
• Tuberculosis is an old disease—the study of it dates back to the 1020s.

How we care for tuberculosis

TheTuberculosis Programat Boston Children's Hospital cares for more than 400 TB-infected children each year. Located on the fourth floor of the Farley Building, our program provides comprehensive services ranging from evaluation and diagnosis to treatment and patient education.