XDR-TB is a mutated form of tuberculosis which has which has become resistant to almost all drugs used to treat TB. Cases of XDR-TB have been found in 41 countries of the world.XDRTB.org: XDR-TB Centers for Disease Control: XDR TB (May 18, 2008)
Photographer James Nachtway spent five months in 2008 conducting research on the disease and debuted the resulting video to the TED Conference (Technology Entertainment Design) in October 2008.
How XDR-TB Occurs
Tuberculosis was first identified a century ago, and the drugs are low-cost and effective--but the drugs must be taken for daily for six months. If the medication is only taken for some of that time, drug-resistant strains survive and keep the disease going. Eventually, the disease mutates into drug-resistant forms.XDRTB.org: XDR-TB
Disclaimer
The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you have tuberculosis, please consult your doctor.
References
Fast Facts
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Stands for extensively or extremely drug-resistant tuberculosis
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XDR-TB cases result in a higher mortality among people with AIDSCBC: Tuberculosis: Anatomy of a killer (October 3, 2008)
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1 in 3 people in the world is infected with dormant TBXDRTB.org: XDR-TB
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Only 5-10% of those infected develop the disease, those with weakened immune symptoms, elderly, children, or people with AIDSCBC: Tuberculosis: Anatomy of a killer (October 3, 2008)
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TB killed 1.7 million people in 2007XDRTB.org: XDR-TB
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Drugs cost $20/patient and are extremely effectiveXDRTB.org: XDR-TB
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Drug resistant TB is more common in people who do not take all their medication, redevelop active TB, come from areas where drug-resistant TB is common, or have spent time with someone with drug-resistant TBCenters for Disease Control: Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR TB)
