Tuberculosis (TB) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Co-Infection

TB and HIV Co-Infection TB is less common in Canada but it is the leading cause of death among people who are HIV positive worldwide. People infected with HIV are at a much higher risk to become sick with TB.

Germs/bacteria called mycobacterium tuberculosis cause a disease named Tuberculosis (TB). It is usually found in the lungs but can affect any part of the body. TB disease is spread from person to person through the air, when someone sick with it in the lungs, coughs or sneezes.

TB disease doesn’t spread easily. For the germs to spread, it is required to have close, prolonged, or frequent contact with someone who is sick with TB disease.

Most people who breathe in TB germs can stop them from growing. The body’s immune system traps the germs and keeps them inactive. This is called TB infection. These people:

  • Do not feel sick and have no symptoms
  • Cannot spread TB germs to others
  • Have a positive skin test (Note: People with HIV may have a negative skin test even though they are infected with the TB germs/bacteria – speak with your doctor)
  • May develop TB disease later in life
  • Can take medications to prevent TB disease

TB germs become active and grow when the body’s immune system cannot stop the germs from growing.People with TB disease can be cured by taking TB medication.

Symptoms of TB disease include:

  • Cough (lasting longer than 3 weeks)
  • Coughing up blood
  • Fever/ chills/ night sweats
  • Feeling tired
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Loss of appetite

Human Immunodeficiency Virus is an infection that can make a person’s immune system weak. The later stage of HIV is called Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). HIV can be spread from person to person by four main ways:

  • Having vaginal or anal sex without using a condom with someone who has HIV
  • Sharing needles or using unclean tools for procedures such as tattooing
  • From an untreated mother to her unborn, newborn, or breastfed baby
  • From infected blood products

TB is less common in Canada, but it is the leading cause of death among people who are HIV positive worldwide. People infected with HIV are at a much higher risk to become sick with TB.

  • A person with untreated TB infection and HIV infection is 20-30 times more likely to develop  TB disease during their lifetime than someone without HIV infection.
  • In people with TB infection, HIV infection is the strongest known risk factor for progressing to TB disease.

Get Tested

You should always inform your healthcare providers of your HIV status. If you are HIV positive, get tested for TB. If you have TB infection or TB disease, get tested for HIV.

Speak to a Doctor About Treatment

TB medications work well to prevent and cure TB for people living with HIV. TB and HIV medication can be taken at the same time. All TB medication is free through Toronto Public Health.