Share +. Text A A A. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks normal joint tissues, causing inflammation of the joint lining. This inflammation of the joint lining (called the synovium) can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, warmth, and redness.ext A A A. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks normal joint tissues, causing inflammation of the joint lining.
Tuberculosis. Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium that usually attacks the lungs. TB is spread through the air from one person to another. The bacteria are put into the air when a person with active TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings.
Latent tuberculosis is not contagious from person to person. While latent tuberculosis is not an active infection, the bacteria may start to multiply and spread. Latent tuberculosis is considered infectious but is not transmitted from person to person. Generally, a disease like this is caused by an infectious agent and not spread between people. Latent tuberculosis, although infectious, is not a genetic disease. It is not caused by a defective or abnormal gene.