Which statement best describes latent TB infection?

• A. It presents with miliary disease
• B. It is asymptomatic and non-infectious TB infection
• C. It causes chronic productive cough
• D. It always presents with high fever

Answer: (B)

Latent TB infection means the bacteria are present in the body but kept in check by the immune system, so there are no symptoms and the person is not contagious. The bacteria reside in granulomas and are dormant, so someone can have a positive TB test without any illness or infectiousness. In contrast, signs like a chronic productive cough, fever, night sweats, or weight loss point to active TB, and miliary TB represents a disseminated form of active disease with systemic symptoms. A high fever is not a defining feature of latent TB. Therefore, the description "asymptomatic and non-infectious TB infection" best captures latent TB.