A patient with extrapulmonary TB affecting the spine (Pott's disease) asks about infectiousness. Is spinal TB infectious to others?...

Question

A patient with extrapulmonary TB affecting the spine (Pott's disease) asks about infectiousness. Is spinal TB infectious to others?

Accepted Answer

Extrapulmonary TB (including spinal TB) is generally NOT directly infectious to others, as transmission requires aerosolisation of M. tuberculosis from the respiratory tract; however, concurrent pulmonary TB must be excluded

Answer

Yes, all forms of TB are equally infectious

Answer

Spinal TB is highly infectious through skin contact

Answer

Only drug-resistant TB is infectious

Answer

TB is never infectious

uk-dtmh MCQ (SBA): Infectiousness of Extrapulmonary TB

A patient with extrapulmonary TB affecting the spine (Pott's disease) asks about infectiousness. Is spinal TB infectious to others?