Tuberculosis
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What is tuberculosis or "TB?"
Tuberculosis was a common and very
deadly infectious disease that luckily is affecting fewer
people since the United States now has a vaccine for
it. Unfortunately, there are still a high number of people
dying from this infection yearly. This disease, often
abbreviated TB,
is caused by mycobacteria such as Mycobacterrium
tuberculosis. It most commonly attacks the lungs which
is why it is associated and classified with other lung
diseases and conditions. However, TB can also attack other
parts of the body such as the central nervous system,
circulatory system, bones, joints, skin and even the
lymphatic system.
It may be shocking to know that over
1/3 of the world’s population has been exposed to the
bacteria that cause TB at some time. However, not everyone
who is exposed will contract TB. Some also have asymptomatic
or latent tuberculosis infections. One in ten of these
latent infections will develop into active TB. Untreated
tuberculosis will kill more than half of people infected
with it so if you know or suspect you have it, treatment is
very important.
You should get to a doctor right away
to be tested and treated for your TB infection before it
worsens and causes death or severe, irreversible lung
damage. TB also commonly affects people with AIDS, HIV and
other immune-declining conditions. When the immune system is
weakened, such as with these conditions, it makes it easier
for the person to contract TB and harder for the body to
fight it.
Symptoms of TB
Some symptoms of TB are chest pain,
prolonged cough for more than three weeks, coughing up
blood, fever, chills, night sweats, appetite loss, weight
loss, pallor and fatigue. These symptoms are also common in
other conditions and diseases and other lung conditions so
if you think you may have been exposed to TB and are now
showing these symptoms, you will need to see your doctor for
a definite diagnosis.
How do you get tuberculosis?
There are different ways of contracting TB. It is contagious if
you are around someone else who has it. The person with TB may
expel the bacteria when they breathe, cough, sneeze, talk, kiss
or spit. It can also be contracted from sharing needles with a
person who is infected. People in high risk conditions such as
health-care workers or those people on immune-suppressant drugs
will need to be extra careful of contracting
tuberculosis.
Treatment for tuberculosis involves an
antibiotic to kill the bacteria that are causing the
disease. You may also be given medications to ease your
symptoms until the bacteria is gone. You many be quarantined
until the active stage is passed and you are no longer
contagious. Treatment is very important to ensure you can
live a long and healthy life, even after you’ve had
tuberculosis.
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