What is the main way tuberculosis is transmitted?

tuberculosis is transmitted through the air, not by surface contact. Transmission occurs when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis, and the droplet nuclei traverse the mouth or nasal passages, upper respiratory tract, and bronchi to reach the alveoli of the lungs (Figure 2.2).

Where Did TB come from?

TB in humans can be traced back to 9,000 years ago in Atlit Yam, a city now under the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Israel. Archeologists found TB in the remains of a mother and child buried together. The earliest written mentions of TB were in India (3,300 years ago) and China (2,300 years ago).

How is tuberculosis spread from person to person?

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a type of bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It’s spread when a person with active TB disease in their lungs coughs or sneezes and someone else inhales the expelled droplets, which contain TB bacteria.

Which is part of the body does TB affect?

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease.

Can you get TB if you have been around an infected person?

But even if you’ve been around an infected person, or breathed in the bacteria they expelled into the air, you still have a chance at escaping TB — not everyone who breathes in the bacteria will develop tuberculosis.

How can we stop the spread of TB?

Particularly in countries with a high burden of TB, awareness of TB must be raised so that people with symptoms of TB know they should get help. People with TB disease must then be provided with effective TB treatment which means that they will no longer be infectious and can no longer spread TB to other people.

How does tuberculosis kill you?

Tuberculosis can infect your bowels, causing malnutrition and death, infection through the bloodstream in the membranes of your brains, tuberculous meningitis, this will kill you too, bone tuberculosis usually won’t kill, but maim you seriously, e.g. having a vertebra collapse.

How do you prevent the spread of TB?

Tuberculosis (TB) can be prevented by avoiding people who are known to have TB, and if exposure is unavoidable, a protective respiratory device should be worn. TB is spread from an infected person to a non-infected person by air.

What are the early signs of tuberculosis?

Symptoms of Tuberculosis. Generally, people only show symptoms of tuberculosis when they have the active form of the disease. Early signs and symptoms may include fever, chills, and loss of appetite. The more specific symptoms of the condition include cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer, pain in the chest, and coughing up blood.

Is tuberculosis caused by a virus?

Tuberculosis virus. Tuberculosis ( TB ) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis virus. TB targets mainly the lungs but may also affect any area of the body such as the urinary tract, central nervous system, bones and/or joints, other organs, abdominal area, or lymph nodes.