TB is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and it most often affects the lungs. TB is spread through the air when people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit. A person needs to inhale only a few germs to become infected.

TB is the leading cause of death of people with HIV and also a major contributor to antimicrobial resistance. According to Google Trends data, World TB day 2025 is trending with over 2,000+ search volume