Yes, you can touch TB patients.
According to provided information, the tuberculosis (TB) bacterium spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks, sings, or laughs. It is not likely to spread through touching things that a person with TB has touched. This includes:
- Clothing
- Bedding
- Drinking glasses
- Eating utensils
- Handshakes
- Toilets
- Other personal items
| Transmission Method | Risk |
|---|---|
| Air (coughing, sneezing, speaking) | High |
| Touching personal items | Low |
| Shaking hands | Low |
Therefore, you are safe to touch a person with TB, as the bacterium is not typically spread through skin contact. However, remember that TB is airborne, so it is crucial to consider your proximity to a person with active TB and if they are coughing, sneezing or speaking.
