Tuberculosis

> What is tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis is a highly infectious disease caused by germs that spread from person
to person through the air. It usually affects the lungs but can also affect the brain,
kidneys, and the spine. Tuberculosis is typically curable and preventable.

> General symptoms of tuberculosis

- cough lasting more than 3 weeks

- coughing up blood or phlegm
- chest pain
- unexplained fatigue/weakness
- fever
- chills/night sweats
- appetite/weight loss
● Along with general symptoms, TB that spreads to other organs can also
cause:
- Blood in urine and loss of kidney function
- Back pain and stiffness, muscle spasms, spinal irregularity
- Nausea and vomiting, confusion and loss of consciousness.

Who is at risk for tuberculosis?

Risk factors that increase your chance of contracting TB include:
- Having diabetes, end stage kidney disease or certain cancers
- Malnutrition
- Using tobacco or alcohol for long periods of time
- A diagnosis of HIV or having another immune-system-compromising situation
● Certain medications that increase your risk of active TB include:
- Those that suppress the immune system
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Crohn’s disease
- Psoriasis
- lupus
- Cancer
> Travelling to regions with high TB rates can also increase your risk of contracting
the bacterial infection. These regions include:
- sub-Saharan Africa
- India
- Mexico
- China
 - Russia
- Micronesia
What causes tuberculosis?
TB can be transmitted through infected droplets in the air. Someone with TB
can transmit bacteria by:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Speaking
How is tuberculosis diagnosed?
Healthcare professionals can diagnose TB with a few different tests including:
- A skin test
- A blood test or both.
How is tuberculosis treated?
People diagnosed with TB generally have to take a combination of medications
for 6 to 9 months. If the entire treatment course is not completed, it is highly likely
that the infection may come back. A returning infection can resist previous
medications so it is much more challenging to treat.

Preventing TB

A few important steps you can take are:

● connecting with a healthcare professional for testing if you believe

you’ve been exposed to TB
● getting tested for TB if you have HIV or any condition that increases
your risk for infection
● visiting a travel clinic or checking with your doctor about testing before
and after traveling to a country with a high TB rate
● asking about your workplace infection prevention and control program
and following the precautions provided if your job carries a risk of
exposure to TB
● avoiding close or prolonged contact with someone who has active TB

Sources: healthline, www.cdc.gov