Can pulmonary tuberculosis be transmitted through speaking?

　　Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a common disease. Due to worsening environmental pollution and deteriorating air quality, individuals with weakened immunity are increasingly susceptible to pulmonary TB and require prompt treatment. Coughing often worsens following TB infection, significantly impacting patients’ daily lives. Some people believe that TB can be transmitted simply by speaking with an infected person—so, can pulmonary TB be transmitted through speech?

　　Can pulmonary TB be transmitted through speech?

　　Yes, pulmonary TB can potentially be transmitted through speech. Individuals with active pulmonary TB serve as infectious sources and transmit the disease via respiratory droplets. TB patients generate infectious droplets when they cough, sneeze, or speak loudly. These droplets contain *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*, and inhalation by healthy individuals may lead to infection. When a person’s immune system is compromised, latent infection may progress to active TB or other forms of TB. Close face-to-face conversations with an untreated TB patient pose a risk of transmission; therefore, TB patients should wear masks, avoid speaking loudly, refrain from spitting in public, and ensure adequate ventilation at home.

　　Under normal circumstances, casual conversation with a TB patient carries negligible transmission risk. TB is primarily spread through infectious droplets generated during coughing. Patients receiving treatment at accredited hospitals do not pose a significant infection risk in daily life. Under medical guidance, oral anti-TB medications will be prescribed and adjusted by qualified physicians according to individual clinical conditions. Treatment must not be discontinued arbitrarily; however, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) may be integrated into therapy based on syndrome differentiation. Patients should prioritize rest, avoid staying up late, minimize exposure to respiratory infections, and consume foods rich in protein and vitamins.

　　If diagnosed, patients should initiate anti-TB treatment promptly to reduce infectivity. The vast majority of pulmonary TB cases achieve full recovery with standardized treatment, typically lasting six months to one year. We hope this information proves helpful.