Some people develop TB disease soon after becoming infected when TB bacteria begin to multiply rapidly, before their immune system can fight back. Other people may get sick later, when their immune system becomes weak for some reason.
Babies and young children often have weak immune systems. People infected with HIV have very weak immune systems. Other people who have weak immune systems, are those who have the following conditions:
- diabetes mellitus
- cancer of the head or neck
- hematological malignancies
- severe kidney disease
- low body weight
- certain medical treatments (such as corticosteroid treatment or organ transplants)
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