TUBERCULOSIS

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

It is transmitted from one person to another via airborne bacterial particles,
which are exhaled by individuals who have active TB infection in their lungs or throat.

Latent TB vs Active TB

Night sweats, fever,

Asymptomatic chills, and fatigue
Symptomatic
Individual does not Respiratory: TB bacteria are active.
feel sick. Cough 3 weeks or They overwhelm the
longer, chest pain,
hemoptysis
immune system and
TB bacteria are multiply.
alive, but inactive.
Infectious when active
Cannot spread TB in lungs and airways

5%–10% of cases will Moves from lungs via

progress to active TB. bloodstream to other areas
such as kidneys, spine
Treatment should be and brain
offered. If declined,
GI:
follow with annual Antibiotic treatment is
Loss of
symptom assessment appetite, necessary to prevent
and periodic chest unexplained complications and
X-ray. weight loss transmission to others.

TB Screening CLINICAL TIP Diagnosis

When assessing If positive skin or

PPD skin test Positive screening indicated skin test, measure blood test:
exposure to Mycobacterium only the area of
tuberculi: does not indicate • Review exposure risk.
induration
if latent, active, or previous (not redness). • Assess for symptoms.
BCG vaccine (skin test only).
Physical exam and further Risk factors are • Chest X-ray (may
IGRA blood test testing is required. also considered show lesions or
in determining cavitation)
positive skin
• Sputum analysis
test.

NOTES

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