Tuberculosis

What is Tuberculosis? Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that usually affects the lungs. Compared with other diseases caused by a single infectious agent, tuberculosis is the second biggest killer, globally. It is a disease caused by bacteria that spreads through the air from person to person.

History of Tuberculosis Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the bacteria that causes tuberculosis (TB) that has been present in the human population since antiquity - fragments of the spinal column from Egyptian mummies from 2400 BC show definite signs of tuberculosis. Called "consumption“, tuberculosis was recognized as the leading cause of mortality by 1650. In 1865, a French surgeon, Jean-Antoine Villemin, proved that TB was contagious. In 1882, Dr. Robert Koch, who was a German scientist, discovered the bacteria that causes TB.

History of Tuberculosis In those days, people went to sanatoriums where they followed a prescribed routine every day of rest, fresh air, sunshine and extra food. In 1943, an American scientist Selman Waksman discovered a drug that could kill TB bacteria. Between 1943 and 1952, two more drugs were found.

Symptoms of Tuberculosis doctors make a distinction between: Latent TB. In this condition, you have a TB infection, but the bacteria remain in your body in an inactive state and cause no symptoms. Latent TB, also called inactive TB or TB infection, isn't contagious. It can turn into active TB, so treatment is important for the person with latent TB and to help control the spread of TB Active TB. This condition makes you sick and can spread to others. It can occur in the first few weeks after infection with the TB bacteria, or it might occur years later.

Symptoms of Tuberculosis Signs and symptoms of active TB include: Coughing that lasts three or more weeks Coughing up blood Chest pain, or pain with breathing or coughing Unintentional weight loss Fatigue Fever Night sweats Chills Loss of appetite

Testing & Diagnosis Testing There are two kinds of tests that are used to detect TB bacteria in the body: the TB skin test (TST) and TB blood tests. A positive TB skin test or TB blood test only tells that a person has been infected with TB bacteria. It does not tell whether the person has Latent TB infection or has progressed to TB disease Other tests, such as a chest x-ray and a sample of sputum, are needed to see whether the person has TB disease. Diagnosis If a person is found to be infected with TB bacteria, other tests are needed to see if the person has latent TB infection or TB disease.

Testing & Diagnosis Diagnosis of Latent TB Infection A diagnosis of latent TB infection is made if a person has a positive TB test result and a medical evaluation does not indicate TB disease. The decision about treatment for latent TB infection will be based on a person’s chances of developing TB disease by considering their risk factors. Diagnosis of TB Disease TB disease is diagnosed by medical history, physical examination, chest x-ray, and other laboratory tests. TB disease is treated by taking several drugs as recommended by a health care provider.

Prognosis With treatment, most are able to make a full recovery. In addition, some may survive without treatment and may even fully recover from the disease. Without treatment, approximately half of those infected with active TB will eventually die within 5 years of the infection. This is because TB bacteria multiply quite slowly compared to most other bacteria, and active TB bacteria can cause an illness to worsen overtime, leading to other complications. If tuberculosis is coupled with other diseases such as HIV/AIDS or other serious illness, the resultant outlook is more inclined to worsen.

Treatment Medications are the cornerstone of tuberculosis treatment. But treating TB takes much longer than treating other types of bacterial infections. With tuberculosis, you must take antibiotics for at least six to nine months. The exact drugs and length of treatment depend on your age, overall health, possible drug resistance, the form of TB (latent or active) and the infection's location in the body.

Treatment Most common TB drugs With tuberculosis, you must take antibiotics for at least six to nine months. The exact drugs and length of treatment depend on your age, overall health, possible drug resistance, the form of TB (latent or active) and the infection's location in the body. The most common medications used to treat tuberculosis include: Isoniazid Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane) Ethambutol (Myambutol) Pyrazinamide

Prevention The BCG vaccination Early Diagnosis A healthy immune system The BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guérin) is a live vaccine against tuberculosis. The vaccine is prepared from a strain of the weakened bovine tuberculosis bacillus, Mycobacterium bovis. Early Diagnosis Early diagnosis and treatment is the most effective way to prevent the spread of tuberculosis. A healthy immune system Early diagnosis and treatment is the most effective way to prevent the spread of tuberculosis. Managing your environment As TB is an airborne infection, TB bacteria are released into the air when someone with infectious TB coughs or sneezes. The risk of infection can be reduced by using a few simple precautions: good ventilation: as TB can remain suspended in the air for several hours with no ventilation natural light: UV light kills off TB bacteria good hygiene: covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing reduces the spread of TB bacteria.

Trivia 1. What is Tuberculosis? It is a infectious disease caused by bacteria that spreads through the air from person to person. 2. Who discovered the bacteria that causes TB in 1882? Dr. Robert Koch 3. What are the two types of TB? Latent TB and Active TB 4. What two tests are used to detect TB bacteria in the body? TB skin test and TB blood test 5. What is the name of the vaccine that helps prevent TB? BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guérin) Vaccine