How do other illnesses affect tuberculosis?

Anything that weakens your immune system makes you more vulnerable to tuberculosis (TB). A healthy immune system can fight TB bacteria and force them into a dormant state, but a weak immune system allows active TB disease to develop. Conditions that weaken immunity include:

• Diseases such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, silicosis, advanced kidney disease, and some cancers
• Certain medications including corticosteroids, chemotherapy, and some treatments for Crohn's disease or arthritis
• Drug or alcohol abuse
• Malnutrition
• Organ transplant