What is TBC ?

TB is a bacterial disease which in humans is usually caused by an organism

called Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). TB is an abbreviation of the
word Tuberculosis and is how people usually refer to the disease.

Causes
TBC caused by the mycobacterium tuberculosis.
It is spread through the air when a person with TB (whose lungs are affected)
coughs, sneezes, spits, laughs, or talks.

Symptoms and sign

Coughing, sometimes with mucus or blood
Chills
Fatigue
Fever
Loss of weight
Loss of appetite
Night sweats

How do you get TBC ?

You get TB by inhaling TB bacteria that are in the air. The bacteria spread
through the air from one person to another. Bacteria get released into the air by
some person who is already infected with them. When a person with TB of the
lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, sings or talks, droplets containing the bacteria are
released into the air. That is why people who think they may be infectious, may
often hold something over their mouth when they are near to other people. People
working in a health clinic may for this reason sometimes wear a mask.

How long do TBC bacteria stay alive ?

The bacteria can sometimes stay alive in the air for a few hours, especially in
small places with no fresh air. Fresh air and sunlight make it harder for the
bacteria to stay alive. The fresh air scatters the bacteria and the sunlight kills
them.

Treatment
TB can usually be cured. The treatment usually consists of a combination of TB
drugs that must be taken for at least six months. But the treatment will only be
successful if the drugs are taken exactly as required for the entire length of time.

TB prevention
A major part of the prevention of TB is to stop the spread of the bacteria from one
adult to another. This is done by firstly finding the adults who have TB. Then
providing them with effective treatment means that they are no longer infectious
and they will also recover from being sick. There is a vaccine, the BCG vaccine,
but it is used for children as it doesnt seem to prevent the disease in adults.

Sometimes it is believed that education about TB only needs to involve people

who already have the disease. But there is a need to also educate the general
public. This is firstly to ensure that people know how TB is transmitted and
indeed not transmitted, and to also reduce the stigma surrounding the disease. It
can also help to ensure that people with TB come forward for testing and
treatment as soon as possible