Tuberculosis

 TUBERCULOSIS

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection that usually attacks your lungs. It can also spread to other parts of your body, like your brain and spine. A type of bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes it.

Can tuberculosis be cured?

In the 20th century, TB was a leading cause of death in the United States. Today, most cases are cured with antibiotics. But it takes a long time. You have to take medications for at least 6 to 9 months

Tuberculosis Types

. Latent TB. You have the germs in your body, but your immune system keeps them from spreading. You don’t have any symptoms, and you’re not contagious

. Active TB. The germs multiply and make you sick. You can spread the disease to others. Ninety percent active cases in adults come from a latent TB infection.

Tuberculosis Signs and Symptoms

Latent TB doesn’t have symptoms. A skin or blood test can tell if you have it.

Signs of active TB disease include:

A cough that lasts more than 3 weeks

Chest pain

Coughing up blood

Feeling tired all the time

Night sweats

Chills

Fever

Loss of appetite

Weight loss

Tuberculosis Causes

Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria that spread through the air, just like a cold or the flu. You can get TB only if you come into contact with people who have it.

Tuberculosis Risk Factors

You could be more likely to get TB if:

A friend, co-worker, or family member has active TB.

You live in or have traveled to an area where TB is common, like Russia, Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

You’re part of a group in which TB is more likely to spread, or you work or live with someone who is.

A healthy immune system fights the TB bacteria. But you might not be able to fend off active TB disease if you have:

HIV or AIDS

Diabetes

Severe kidney disease

Head and neck cancers

Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy

Low body weight and poor nutrition

Medications for organ transplants

Certain drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and psoriasis

Babies and young children also have higher chances of getting it because their immune systems aren’t fully formed.

Tuberculosis Transmission

When someone who has TB coughs, sneezes, talks, laughs, or sings, they release tiny droplets that contain the germs. If you breathe in these germs, you can get it.

TB isn’t easy to catch. You usually have to spend a long time around someone who has a lot of the bacteria in their lungs. You’re most likely to catch it from co-workers, friends, and family members