Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs but capable of spreading to other parts of the body. It is transmitted through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, releasing bacteria-laden droplets. Factors like crowded living conditions, poor nutrition, and weakened immunity, such as from HIV, increase the risk of infection and disease progression.
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which spreads through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Risk factors include weakened immunity, malnutrition, smoking, and close contact with an infected individual. People with conditions like HIV or diabetes are particularly vulnerable to developing active TB.
The effects of TB can be severe and systemic. Pulmonary TB leads to persistent coughing, chest pain, and coughing up blood. General symptoms include fever, night sweats, weight loss, and extreme fatigue. If untreated, TB can spread to other organs, causing complications like meningitis, spinal deformities, or kidney damage, and can be fatal.
TB is treatable with a combination of antibiotics, such as isoniazid and rifampin, taken over six months or more. Early detection and adherence to the treatment regimen are vital to preventing complications and drug-resistant TB. Vaccination with the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine and addressing social determinants like overcrowding and poor healthcare access are essential for controlling the disease.