Pulmonary TB

• What does Pulmonary TB stand for?

  Pulmonary Tuberculosis
• What happens when a person is infected with tuberculosis bacteria?

  Immune system cells build a wall around bacteria in the lungs

  • This forms small, hard lumps known as tubercles
• What does infected tissue within the tubercles do?

  Dies and the gaseous exchange surface is damaged, so tidal volume is decreased
• What does tuberculosis cause?

  Fibrosis , which further reduces tidal volume
• What does a reduced tidal volume mean?


  less air can be inhaled in each breath
• What do patients have to do in order to take in enough oxygen?

  Breath faster

  • ventilation rate is increased
• What are common symptoms of Pulmonary TB?

  • Persistent cough
  • Coughing up blood and mucus
  • Chest pains
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue