Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease of the respiratory tract caused by the bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacterial organisms are acquired from persons with active disease who transmit viable organisms by coughing, sneezing, or talking. Airborne droplet nuclei enter the respiratory tract and are deposited in lung alveoli.
M. tuberculosis and other infective agents that are transmitted by airborne droplets or aerosols pose a risk to healthcare workers, as well as the community. If respiratory protection is inadequate, healthcare workers who come in contact with infected individuals, and laboratory workers who process specimens from infected patients, may be at risk of infection.