Tuberculosis (TB)

• TB: infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• Mainly affects the lungs and other organs
• TB is spread into the air by coughing, sneezing or spitting. Infected droplets inhaled and the bacteria is transmitted to another person
• Effects on the human body

  • TB bacteria caused infection in the lungs
  • Strong immune system: fight and prevent spread of bacteria
  • Weak immune system: active TB, pneumonia occurs and bacteria spreads through the body
• Symptoms of TB:

  • Constant cough
  • Tiredness and fatigue
  • Loss of weight
  • Night sweats
  • Chest pain
  • Coughing up blood in saliva/ mucus
• Effects of family/ community

  • lose 3-6 months of income
  • breadwinner dies, poverty increases in extended family
  • Stigma attached to TB, disrupts family
  • Untreated TB spreads to family and community
• Treatment of TB

  • Aggressive course of antibiotics over 6 months
  • Infected person with the right treatment cannot infect others
  • Patients may stop taking meds when they feel better, become infectious again
  • TB bacteria may become resistant to medication
  • DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment)
  • Counseling
• Prevention of TB

  • Education
  • Treatment immediately after diagnosis
  • Vaccination
• Drug resistant TB

  • Due to badly managed TB medication and incorrect use
  • Multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB)- resistant to at least two anti-TB drugs
  • Extreme-drug resistant TB(XDR-TB)- resistant to medication for MDR-TB
  • Long term chemotherapy treats XDR-TB
• TB and HIV/AIDS

  • TB is the most common opportunistic infection and cause of death of many HIV+ patients
  • When the immune system weakens, the chances of someone with HIV developing TB increases
  • If someone develops TB, the progression to the final stage of AIDS occurs much faster