TUBERCULOSIS

FOR DUMMIES

BY BRIAN HEANEY

WHAT IS TUBERCULOSIS?
Tuberculosis, commonly known as TB, is a bacterial infection that can
spread through the lymph nodes and bloodstream to any organ in your
body. It is most often found in the lungs. Most people who are exposed to
TB never develop symptoms
because the bacteria can live in an
inactive form in the body. But if the
immune system weakens, such as in
people with HIV or elderly adults, TB
bacteria can become active.

SYMPTOMS OF TUBERCULOSIS
SignsandsymptomsofactiveTBcan
Include:Coughingthatlaststhreeormore
weeks,WhichcanIncludeCoughingUp
Blood.ChestPain,WeightLoss,Feverand
LossofAppetitecanalsobesymptoms.
Eventhoughyoumightnotseethesesymptoms,YourBodyMightStillHavethe
Diseaserunningthroughthebody.ThisisknownasLatentTB,Ifyourbodyhasthe
symptomsofTuberculosisandyouareabletospreadtoothersthisisknownasActive
TB.

WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR

Seeyourdoctorifyouhaveafever,unexplainedweightloss,drenchingnightsweatsor
apersistentcough.TheseareoftensignsofTB,buttheycanalsoresultfromother
medicalproblems.Toseefurtherintothesecases,youcantaketeststofully
understandyoursituation.TheCDCalsorecommendspeoplebescreenediftheyhave
HIV/AIDS,IVDrugUsers.

CAUSES
Tuberculosisiscausedbybacteriathatspreadfrompersontopersonthrough
microscopicdropletsreleasedintotheair.Thiscanhappenwhensomeonewiththe
untreated,activeformoftuberculosiscoughs,speaks,sneezes,spits,laughsorsings.
EvenwiththisbeingsaidTBishardtobespreadon,soyouaremoreapplicableto
receivethevirusfromyourfriendorfamilyratherthanastranger.Peopleareusuallyno
longercontagiousaftertwoweeksofdrugtreatment.

RISK FACTORS
WeakenedImmuneSystemcannotfightTBanddiseaseslikeHIV/AIDS
Diabetes,Severekidneydisease,Certaincancersonlyworsenthechanceofhavinga
failingimmunesystem,puttinginthelinetocomeincontactwithTB.

BYBRIANHEANEY

TRAVELING OR LIVING IN CERTAIN AREAS

Theriskofcontractingtuberculosisishigherforpeoplewholiveinortraveltocountries
thathavehighratesoftuberculosisanddrugresistanttuberculosis,including
:
Africa
EasternEurope
Asia
Russia
LatinAmerica
CaribbeanIslands

Without treatment, tuberculosis can be fatal. Untreated active disease

typically affects your lungs, but it can spread to other parts of your body
through your bloodstream. Examples of tuberculosis complications
include:
Spinalpain:Backpainandstiffnessarecommoncomplicationsof
tuberculosis.
Jointdamage:Tuberculousarthritisusuallyaffectsthehipsandknees.

 Swellingofthemembranesthatcoveryourbrain(meningitis):Thiscan
causealastingorintermittentheadachethatoccursforweeks.Mental
changesalsoarepossible.