What are common risk factors for developing tuberculosis (TB)?

Close contact with TB-infected individuals and compromised immune systems are indeed significant risk factors for developing tuberculosis (TB). When individuals are in close proximity to someone who has active TB, the bacteria that cause the disease can easily spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. This is particularly critical in environments where people are in close quarters, such as households, shelters, or crowded living conditions.

Additionally, individuals with compromised immune systems, such as those living with HIV/AIDS, diabetes, or those undergoing treatments that suppress the immune system, are at a heightened risk. These health conditions impair the body's ability to fight off infections, making it easier for TB bacteria to take hold and cause disease.

In contrast, living in rural areas, while it might seem like a factor, is not a direct risk factor for TB; it is more related to access to healthcare and socioeconomic factors. Regular exercise and a healthy diet contribute to overall health and a stronger immune system, but they are not risk factors for contracting TB. Being above the age of 60 may increase the likelihood of severe disease progression or complications, but the risk of infection is more directly related to exposure and immune health rather than age alone.