Laura Kate Mansell by Laura Kate Mansell

What pathogen causes tuberculosis?

lkmansell04_ — 2024-04-21 16:53:59 UTC

Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

What illnesses can be caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis?

lkmansell04_ — 2024-04-21 17:00:03 UTC

TB usually attacks the lungs, but the TB bacteria (mycobacterium tuberculosis) can attack any part of the body such as the spine, kidneys and brain.

How is tuberculosis transmitted?

lkmansell04_ — 2024-04-21 17:05:01 UTC

Tuberculosis is transmitted through the air. When an individual who has an untreated TB disease coughs, sneezes, laughs and sings around another individual, they are spreading the disease. A person who have to be in contact with the infected individual for a long period of time and to breathe in the bacteria to get the disease.

Who is most at risk of getting tuberculosis?

lkmansell04_ — 2024-04-21 17:11:43 UTC

Foreign-born individuals, especially children who have immigrated in the past few years from areas that have a high TB rate. Elderly residents and employees in long-term care facilities, homeless shelters, drug treatment facilities, and prisons are at higher risk.

What age group has the highest number of reported cases?

lkmansell04_ — 2024-04-21 17:16:33 UTC

Adults 65 and older had the highest number of reported cases in 2021. This is a result of their weakened immune system.

What are some of the common symptoms of Tuberculosis?

lkmansell04_ — 2024-04-21 17:19:51 UTC

Some of the common symptoms of Tuberculosis include a cough that lasts longer than 3 weeks, coughing up blood or sputum, chest pains, weakness or fatigue, having no appetite, weight loss, fever and/or chills and night sweats.

What are some prevention measures that should be taken?

lkmansell04_ — 2024-04-21 17:25:53 UTC

Make sure you cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. Wash your hands. Get the BCG vaccine to help prevent you from getting tuberculosis. The BCG vaccine is normally given when your child is 28 days old.

How is tuberculosis diagnosed?

lkmansell04_ — 2024-04-21 17:31:06 UTC

Healthcare professionals is perform a TB skin test and TB blood work.

Is there a cure for tuberculosis?

lkmansell04_ — 2024-04-21 17:32:55 UTC

What are the treatment methods for tuberculosis?

lkmansell04_ — 2024-04-21 17:37:22 UTC

If you have active Tb disease, you will most likely be treated with a combination of antibacterial medications for a period of 6 to 12 months. The most common treatment for tuberculosis is isoniazid INH with three other drugs- rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol.