The final stage of tuberculosis (TB) is active TB disease.
Understanding the Stages of TB
There are three main stages of TB:
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Exposure: This is the initial stage where you come into contact with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes TB. This exposure doesn't necessarily mean you'll develop the disease.
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Latent TB Infection: In this stage, the bacteria are present in your body, but your immune system keeps them from causing active disease. You are not contagious and will not show symptoms. A TB skin test or blood test can detect this latent infection.
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Active TB Disease: This is the final and most serious stage. The bacteria become active, multiplying and causing damage to your lungs (most commonly) or other parts of the body. Symptoms can develop, and you become contagious, capable of spreading the infection to others. Treatment is crucial at this stage to prevent serious complications and death. Early diagnosis and treatment are key.
Several sources corroborate this three-stage model. The Johns Hopkins Medicine website (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/tuberculosis-tb) clearly states that the three stages are exposure, latent TB, and active TB disease. Similarly, the Cleveland Clinic (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11301-tuberculosis) also confirms these three stages. While some sources break down the process further into sub-stages, the overarching progression invariably culminates in active TB disease.
