Tuberculosis (TB) normally is considered to be a lung disease; however, it can attack other parts of the body, such as the kidneys or the brain. It is caused by bacterium called myco-bacterium tuberculosis.TB was once the leading cause of death in the United States, however, medications to treat TB were discovered in the 1940s and the number of deaths significantly declined. An increase in TB deaths was seen between 1985 and 1992 but since then the number has begun to decline again. [3]
TB is highly contagious and is spread through the air. People around someone with TB are at high risk of contracting the disease. Some people who do become infected never develop any signs or symptoms. This is considered to be latent TB and cannot be spread. People with latent TB, however, can be treated to insure they do not develop symptoms.
What Are the Symptoms?
The TB bacteria attack body tissue. It normally affects the lungs and can create a hole in the lung. Some of the symptoms of TB include:
- Cough that lasts more than 3 weeks
- Pain the chest area
- Coughing up blood
- Weakness or fatigue
- Loss of appetite or weight loss for unknown reason
- Chills or fever
- Night sweats
People with compromised or weak immune systems, such as those with HIV, babies, and those with chronic medical conditions are more susceptible to contracting TB if they have been exposed.
How Is it Treated?
Treatment for TB consists of a combination of antibiotics. These medications are taken over a long period of time, sometimes from 6 to 24 months. Since the diagnosis of TB declined, research in new treatments was halted and no new treatments have been introduced into the health market for over 40 years.
Recently, however, researchers at Rutgers University developed a combination of antibiotic drugs that may help with new strains of TB, which seem to be resistant to current antibiotic treatment. This research is in the early stages and may not lead to new medications for at least 10 years. [2]
Why TB is Still a Problem Around the World
Tuberculosis is found most often in underdeveloped nations and those most affected are the world’s poor. The health systems found in these countries do not have the ability to diagnosis TB and do not necessarily have access to medications and resources to treat the disease.
In addition, treatment for tuberculosis lasts anywhere from 6 to 24 months and many people do not finish treatment, creating more drug resistant strains of the disease.
Although cases of TB have declined in recent years in the United States, 9.2 million cases of TB occurred worldwide in 2006. For each person with TB that goes untreated, an additional 10 to 15 people per year can become infected. [1]
See also:
Three Types of Tuberculosis Infection
Sources:
[1] “Tuberculosis: 10 Killer Facts”,2008, Nov 14, Author Unknown, World Health Organization
[2] “The War Against Tuberculosis”, 2008, Nov 14, Grace Wong, CNN.com
[3] “Questions and Answers About TB”, Updated 2008, June 26, Author Unknown, Centers for Disease Control
Eileen Bailey - Eileen Bailey is a freelance writer. She began her writing career almost 20 years ago writing marketing material and sales presentations. ...
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