What is the infectious agent that causes tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a bacterium.
Tuberculosis is found worldwide.
How do people get tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis is spread from person to person through the air. People with TB disease of the lung spray the bacteria into the air when they cough, sneeze, talk, or laugh. People nearby can breathe in the bacteria and become infected. To become infected, a person usually needs to be exposed for a long time to air containing many TB bacteria.
What are the signs and symptoms of TB disease?
Symptoms of TB disease depend on where in the body the TB bacteria are multiplying. TB bacteria usually multiply in the lungs. TB in the lungs can cause:
- A bad cough that lasts longer than 2 weeks
- Coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs)
- Other symptoms are: weakness or tiredness, weight loss, chills, fever, and night sweats
How is tuberculosis diagnosed?
TB infection is diagnosed by a skin test. A small needle is used to put some fluid, called tuberculin, under the skin on the inside of the arm. After 2 to 3 days, the amount of skin swelling around the test area is measured. A positive reaction usually means that the person has TB infection. TB disease is diagnosed by a chest x-ray or a test of a sputum sample.
Who is at risk for TB infection?
Anyone can get TB infection, but some groups are more likely than others to be exposed and thus get TB infection:
- Persons with HIV infection or other diseases that weaken the immune system
- Persons in close contact with someone who has TB disease
- Homeless persons
- Persons from countries were TB is common
- Persons in nursing homes
- Persons in prisons
- Persons who inject drugs
- Persons with medical conditions such as diabetes and certain types of cancer
How common is tuberculosis?
TB infection and disease are very common worldwide. About 8 million new cases of TB disease occur each year in the world, and approximately 22,000 cases are reported each year in the United States. Also, 10 million to 15 million people in the United States are infected with TB and could develop TB disease in the future.
Is tuberculosis a re-emerging infectious disease?
Yes. With the discovery of anti-TB drugs in the 1940s, U.S. cases began to decrease for most of the 20th century. However, between 1985 and 1992, TB cases increased. This resurgence of TB prompted the mobilization of improved efforts to prevent and control TB. As a result, cases have dropped each year since 1993.
Pringle-sending aid kits
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Friday
10/02/06
