Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The infection mostly affects the lungs but can also spread elsewhere in the body. Tuberculosis remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases worldwide and is estimated to kill nearly 2 million people each year.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tuberculosis/DS00372
Tuberculosis (which is also referred to as TB for short) is a slow-growing bacteria that tends to favor tissue that is plentiful in blood and oxygens (which is why it often develops in the lungs). It is spread through the breath of people who have active TB cases. Symptoms of TB include coughing up thick mucus, exhaustion, weight loss, neck swelling, increased heart beat and shortness of breath.http://www.webmd.com/lung/tc/tuberculosis-tb-topic-overview
Transmission
When a person suffering from tuberculosis coughs or sneezes, they send infectious aerosol droplets out into the air. If another person inhales even one of these infected droplets, they can contract the disease. At particular risk are children, those suffering from compromised immune systems, and anyone exposed to infected persons on an ongoing basis, such as health care workers.http://www.nationaltbcenter.edu/abouttb/tbcontrol_faqs/mainfactorstb.pdf
Tuberculosis in Culture
Owing to its highly infectious and fatal nature, the disease has inspired a variety of folk explanations, remedies and treatments throughout human history. In the 18th century, dying of tuberculosis was widely considered to be "romantic," a cleansing of the soul that led to a burst of creative inspiration and a general feeling of euphoria.http://www.faculty.virginia.edu/blueridgesanatorium/tuberculosis.html
About TB
This video clip was made by PBS, and it goes over some of the details of tuberculosis. According to the host, about one third of the population of the world has had TB at some point. The majority of these cases do not occur in the United States, but in South Africa and other parts of the world.
Disclaimer
The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact a doctor before using the information presented here.
References
Fast Facts
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5-10% of people infected demonstrate symptomsWorld Health Organization: Tuberculosis Fact Sheet
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Symptoms
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XDR TB (extremely drug-resistant tuberculosis) develops if treatments are not conducted properly
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On March 10, 2009, the CDC confirmed that a man traveling from Frankfurt, Germany to Detroit, Michigan was infected with TuberculosisThe Detroit News: 17 fliers sought as man with TB held (March 16, 2009)
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Although the risk is considered low, the CDC requires testing for those sitting in the same row as the infected man, as well as those sitting two rows ahead and two rows behindThe Detroit News: 17 fliers sought as man with TB held (March 16, 2009)
