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Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis or TB (Tubercles Bacillus) is an infectious disease and is caused by several strains of mycobacteria. All questions concerning signs and symptoms, causes, transmission, risk factors, treatments and medications can be found here.
654 Questions
What is the rank of Tuberculosis in the top ten leading causes of morbidity?
It is ranked in sixth place. The following is the top ten list:
1. Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infection (RTI) and Pneumonia
2. Bronchitis/ Bronchiolitis
3. Acute Watery Diarrhea
4. Influenza
5. Hypertension
6. Tuberculosis/ Respiratory
7. Chickenpox
8. Diseases of the Heart
9. Malaria
10. Dengue Fever
Intestinal tuberculosis (TB) is a rare form of tuberculosis that occurs when the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria infect the intestines. It often results from the spread of pulmonary TB or can arise from ingestion of infected materials. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fever, making it challenging to diagnose. Treatment typically involves a prolonged course of antitubercular medications.
Was there a tuberculosis outbreak in the early 1900s?
Like now, tuberculosis was spread through the air when someone infected with cough or sneeze. It could also be spread while an infected person was speaking, singing, or spitting.
How long does someone with tuberculosis live without taking any medication?
If a person has active TB or TB disease, they can spread it by coughing or sneezing in the air. They can not spread it by kissing, hugging, sharing food etc. You would contract it by inhaling the air with the bacteria after they coughed or sneezed. If your immune system can somewhat fight it, you would be diagnosed with latent tuberculosis infection. If infected with LTBI, you can't spread it. But, it can lead to active TB or TB disease. It can take anywhere from several weeks to several years for LTBI to evolve into TB disease. Either one can be diagnosed through a blood test or a Tuberculin skin test. Also, LTBI can be prevented from evolving into TB disease with the right medication.
Is there a vaccine to prevent terburculosis?
Yes, there is a vaccine to help prevent tuberculosis (TB), known as the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine. It is primarily used in countries with a high prevalence of TB and is effective in reducing the severity of the disease, especially in children. However, it does not provide complete protection against TB infection in adults. The vaccine is not widely used in countries with low TB incidence, where other preventive measures are prioritized.
It is contraindicated to have a second TB test after a previous positive test result.
