Final answer:
Tuberculosis is a chronic bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs but can also impact other parts of the body. It is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and spreads through the air in droplets from the sputum of individuals with active TB disease.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs but may also impact other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, bones, and brain. It is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is spread through the air in droplets from the sputum of individuals with active TB disease. Common symptoms of TB include fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, productive cough, and night sweats.