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What is tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial illness caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and is primarily an illness of the respiratory system. The bacteria are spread …by respiratory droplets inhaled from someone with the condition who coughed or sneezed. Each year about 1.6 million people die from this curable disease. Certain areas have a high rate of people infected with tuberculosis so it is important to tell a physician/doctor you're seeing about your cough if you recently traveled. Because tuberculosis mainly affects the lungs, the main symptoms include persistent cough, sometimes producing blood, chest pain, shortness, of breath, fever and sweating (sometimes night sweats), poor appetite and weight loss. Do not panic it is treatable if caught early enough. A chest x-ray and sputum test can be helpful tools for diagnosing the tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is a disease that attacks the lungs. Tuberculosis usually attacks your lungs. Signs and symptoms of TB of the lungs include: Coughing that lasts three or more weeks Coughing up blood or sputum Chest pain, or pain with breathing or coughing Tuberculosis can also affect other parts of your body, including your kidneys, spine or brain. When TB occurs outside your lungs, signs and symptoms vary according to the organs involved. For example, tuberculosis of the spine may give you back pain, and tuberculosis in your kidneys might cause blood in your urine. (MORE)
