What causes kabag

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Last updated: April 4, 2026

Quick Answer: Kabag, also known as tuberculosis (TB), is primarily caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This bacterium is spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks, releasing tiny droplets containing the germs.

Key Facts

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the bacterium responsible for causing TB.
TB is an airborne disease, transmitted through respiratory droplets.
The lungs are the most commonly affected part of the body, but TB can affect other organs too.
Latent TB infection means the bacteria are present but inactive, not causing symptoms and not contagious.
Active TB disease occurs when the bacteria multiply and spread, leading to symptoms and contagiousness.

Overview

Kabag, more commonly known as tuberculosis or TB, is an infectious disease that typically attacks the lungs. However, it can also damage other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, spine, and brain. TB is caused by a specific type of bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is a serious global health problem, although it is curable and preventable.

What is Tuberculosis (TB)?

Tuberculosis is a disease caused by germs that spread easily from person to person. When a person with active TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs or sneezes, they expel the germs into the air. People nearby can breathe in these germs and become infected. However, not everyone infected with TB germs gets sick. Many people have latent TB infection, meaning they have the germs in their bodies but they are inactive and do not cause symptoms. People with latent TB infection cannot spread the germs to others. If the TB germs become active in the body, they multiply and cause active TB disease. This is when the person becomes sick and can spread the germs to others.

The Cause: Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The culprit behind TB is a bacterium named Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These rod-shaped bacteria are unique in that they have a waxy outer coating that makes them resistant to drying out and allows them to survive for a long time outside the body. This resilience is one of the reasons TB can spread so effectively.

How TB Spreads

TB is an airborne disease. This means it spreads through the air from one person to another. When a person who has active TB disease in their lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, sings, or talks, they release tiny droplets containing the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria into the air. These droplets can remain suspended in the air for several hours. Other people can become infected if they inhale these airborne droplets. The risk of infection depends on several factors, including the duration of exposure, the concentration of the bacteria in the air, and the immune status of the exposed person.

It's important to understand that close and prolonged contact with an infected individual increases the risk of transmission. Casual contact, such as briefly passing someone in a hallway, is unlikely to spread the disease. However, living or working in close quarters with someone who has active TB disease, especially in poorly ventilated areas, significantly raises the chances of infection.

Latent TB Infection vs. Active TB Disease

When a person inhales TB bacteria, their immune system usually fights them off or keeps them contained. This results in a latent TB infection (LTBI). People with LTBI have no symptoms, do not feel sick, and cannot spread TB bacteria to others. The bacteria remain alive but inactive in the body. Without treatment, latent TB infection can sometimes turn into active TB disease.

Active TB disease occurs when the TB bacteria are multiplying and spreading in the body. This happens when the immune system cannot keep the bacteria under control. People with active TB disease typically develop symptoms and can spread the bacteria to others. The most common form of active TB disease is pulmonary TB (affecting the lungs), but TB can also affect other organs, leading to forms like:

Miliary TB: TB bacteria spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body, forming small, seed-like lesions.
TB meningitis: TB affects the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Renal TB: TB affects the kidneys.
Bone TB: TB affects the bones, often leading to skeletal deformities.

The progression from latent infection to active disease can be influenced by factors that weaken the immune system, such as HIV infection, diabetes, malnutrition, certain cancer treatments, and the use of immunosuppressant medications.

Risk Factors for Developing TB Disease

While anyone can get TB, certain groups are at higher risk of developing active disease after being infected:

People with HIV/AIDS: HIV weakens the immune system, making it harder to fight off TB bacteria.
People with other medical conditions that weaken the immune system: This includes diabetes, cancers (like leukemia and lymphoma), kidney disease, and malnutrition.
People taking medications that weaken the immune system: This includes corticosteroids and drugs used for organ transplant recipients or for autoimmune diseases.
Health care workers: They are at increased risk due to frequent contact with people who may have TB.
People who inject drugs: Sharing needles can increase the risk of HIV and other infections that weaken the immune system.
People who have not been vaccinated against TB: The BCG vaccine offers some protection, but its effectiveness varies.
Individuals who have had TB disease in the past: Their immune system may be less capable of controlling the bacteria.

Understanding the cause and transmission of TB is crucial for prevention and control efforts. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to curing the disease and preventing its spread.