Is it possible to get TB through sex with an infected partner?

TB or tuberculosis is an infectious disease. Though it takes time to catch the disease (as germs grow slowly), this contagious disease can spread through air, especially Pulmonary Tuberculosis or lung TB . As its germs don’t thrive on surfaces, you are not likely to get the disease by merely shaking hands, sharing utensils or food. But can it spread through kissing or sexual contact? We talked to DR. PRASHANT SAXENA, HOD (Pulmonology & Sleep Medicine) and Principal Consultant (Critical Care Medicine) Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, to get the facts clear.

TB TYPES: Before we go any further, we should know the types of TB as it determines when TB becomes infectious and when not. TB is classified into two categories, Latent TB and Active TB. Latent tuberculosis is when you already have TB germs in the body but your strong immunity stops the germs from spreading. This is also the case when the person is not contagious. But it should be noted that the germs may get active and person may become contagious under certain circumstances. You must look out for the initial symptoms such as night sweats, cough, fatigue, sudden weight loss, flu-like symptoms and fever and seek medical attention. However, it should be noted that lung TB is the most infectious than any other tuberculosis.

TB INFECTION THROUGH SEX? “You can get infected by tuberculosis through sex but the chances are rare,” says Dr Prashant. “I have not encountered even a single case where a person has got TB through sexual contact”, he further adds. A person who has genital tuberculosis can infect others through sexual contact. The most common means of spreading genital TB can be through blood or lymph. Hence, sexual contact can spread genital tuberculosis.. Genital tuberculosis can spread to any other body organ, once it enters the body. People who have weak immunity or are suffering from certain diseases like cancer, diabetes and HIV are more vulnerable to genital TB.

A STUDY: A study was conducted where it was found that partners of individuals diagnosed with genital TB got affected by genital TB. To test this theory, researchers used a unique molecular technique which was used to compare the bacteria found in the genitals of both the partners. It was discovered to be of the same origin. Hence, the study concluded that sexual intercourse is a possible means of transmission of genital TB.